India opener Rohit Sharma lauded his teammate Ishant Sharma as he is on the verge of becoming only the second Indian pacer to reach 100 Tests. Ishant will achieve this remarkable feat on Wednesday when India and England play the third Test match of the four-match series at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Ishant, who made his Test debut in 2007 against Bangladesh, has gone onto become the leader of the Indian pace attack after the retirement of Zaheer Khan in 2015. Ishant has also become a single-format player, having played his last white-ball international match for India in 2016 and his last T20I in 2013.
Ishant Sharma (Twitter)
What Ishant Sharma Has Achieved In His Career Is Remarkable: Rohit Sharma
“What he has achieved in his career is remarkable, to reach to that 100th Test match is never easy. Big big congratulations on making it to the 100 Test match. It’s never easy for any cricketer. He has seen some tough times as well on the field but he has never given up. The Hall Mark of his entire career put into one shell this what is Ishant Sharma all about. He has reached a stage that we rely on him,” Rohit Sharma said in a video shared by BCCI on Twitter.
Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma for Team India (BCCI)
Rohit Sharma had made his India debut the same year as Ishant, albeit in ODIs while playing his first Test match for India in 2013 against the West Indies. Meanwhile, Ishant Sharma took his 300th Test wicket recently, against England in Chennai Test, becoming only the third pacer after Kapil Dev (434) and Zaheer Khan (311) to achieve this feat.
The Dressing Room Atmosphere Is Always Lively When Ishant Sharma Is There: Cheteshwar Pujara
Ishant’s Indian teammate Cheteshwar Pujara also paid rich tribute to the Delhi bowler, calling him a livewire in the dressing room, who wants to keep the atmosphere lively.
Cheteshwar Pujara (Image Credits: Twitter)
“Whenever Ishant is around, the dressing room atmosphere is always lively. He likes to talk with people around him. I have played against him many times and he has got me out once or twice. There were times when I wasn’t given out and he was frustrated,” said Pujara.
The day/night third Test match between India and England begins on February 24, from 2.30 PM IST onwards.
Also Read: Ishant Sharma Picks His Top 5 Spells In Red-Ball Cricket
Here is the BCCI video celebrating Ishant Sharma’s 300- Test achievement:
Journey to ?th Test ? Off-field memories ? Bonding with teammates ?
