Ishant Sharma Picks His Top 5 Spells In Red-Ball Cricket

Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma, who is on the verge of playing 100 games for India in the longest format, has picked his top spells in red-ball cricket throughout his career. Ishant Sharma stated that his five-wicket haul at Lord’s in 2014, his first five-wicket haul against Baroda in Delhi, five-wicket haul in Wellington, New Zealand in 2019-2020, and his four-wicket haul against South Africa in 2013-2014 sums-up as his top spells in red-ball cricket.

The tall lad from Delhi made his Test debut in 2007 against Bangladesh and apart from it, he has featured in 80 One-day internationals and 14 T20 internationals. He has picked up 302 wickets in 99 Tests at an average of 32.2 which does not show the real picture of how Ishant has developed later in his career. He has been bowling at his best in the last five years and has become the leader of the Indian attack.

Ishant Sharma Reveals The Speciality Behind New Zealand Spell

Ishant Sharma picked his lord test spell of seven wickets for 74 runs as his most cherished one. He went on to pick his first fifer in domestic cricket against Baroda in Delhi. He mentioned the speciality of the New Zealand spell in 2019-2020 being his confidence that he gained to just bowl in the right areas and ended up picking five wickets despite coming into the team on the back of an injury.

“Obviously, Lord’s (2014), My first 5-wicket haul against Baroda in Delhi, That New Zealand Test Series (2019-2020) In Wellington where I took 5 wickets.

“That is special for me because I tore my ligaments and I was not sure whether I would go on that tour or not. and I went there, Just two days before the Test match. The Team asked me ” Do you want to play or not? I said. “I’m here to play cricket. I’m not here on holiday. I was jet-lagged. But I bowled a lot at NCA.

“But that is one spell that told me there is no limitation. that if you don’t put the burden of expectation on yourself. you can go on. It taught me that I can just focus on bowling in good areas and you can trust yourself. That spell taught me to trust myself more” Ishant Sharma said on ESPN Cricinfo.

Ishant’s Fiery Spell In Johannesburg

Ishant finished with his four wickets at Johannesburg in 2013-2014 in the first innings as the last pick of his top spells. He revealed the reason behind the pick being the 30-run over, he leaked against James Faulkner which affected him mentally and emotionally. He came out positive and has become the backbone of India’s pace attack.

“And that spell in Jo’burg(2013-2014) where I took four wickets(in the first innings). Faf and Ab had a partnership. I pick that because around that time I had been hit for 30 runs in an over by James Faulkner. After that, I could have gone wrong any time As I was struggling both emotionally and mentally,” Ishant Sharma added.

Ishant Sharma will be playing his 100th Test against England in the pink ball game in Motera, Ahmedabad.