India vs England 2021: Wishes Pour In From Former Cricketers As Ishant Sharma Becomes The 2nd Indian Pacer To Play 100 Tests

The tall, lanky, and ever-so-improving Ishant Sharma finally completed the milestone that he and the entire country had been waiting for as the third Test between India and England took center stage at the newly-laid Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Ishant Sharma has become the 2nd Indian pacer after the legendary Kapil Dev to complete 100 Test matches. Having made his debut as an 18-year-old against Bangladesh in 2007, Ishant Sharma’s journey is that blood, sweat, tear, disappointments, freak performances, persistence, and unrelenting desire to improve with age.

Ishant made heads turn with his spell for the ages against Ricky Ponting during the 2008 Perth Test but barring that, the first five years of his career were pretty underwhelming.

In his first 53 Tests between 2007-13, Ishant managed just 149 wickets at an average of 38.81. Sharma was ridiculed, trolled and every written off as the ‘worst player to play 50 Test matches.

Ishant has been at the peak of his powers ever since he worked on his wrist position alongside Jason Gillespie in County cricket during the summer of 2017.

Since the start of 2018, Ishant has claimed 76 wickets in 20 Tests at an average of 19.34. He claimed his 300th Test wicket during the first Test in Chennai- only the second Indian pacer to do so.

Sharma has got off to a brilliant start to his 100th Test as he induced an outside edge off Dom Sibley’s bat with Rohit Sharma taking an easy catch at 2nd slip.

 

Here’s how Twitter reacted to Ishant Sharma playing his 100th Test:

Playing 100 Tests is a great landmark for any cricketer, especially a fast bowler. Have seen you play from your U-19 days & played alongside you in your 1st Test. Proud of you & your service to #TeamIndia.

Continue to serve in the best possible manner. Congrats @ImIshant! pic.twitter.com/onBVpgoRLr

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 24, 2021

Journey to ?th Test ?
Off-field memories ?
Bonding with teammates ?

As @ImIshant is set to play his 100th Test at Motera, #TeamIndia congratulate the pacer & reminisce memories shared with him ?? – by @RajalArora.@Paytm #INDvENG

Full feature ? ? https://t.co/bhvwfpUaUP pic.twitter.com/V0xKU6HkGM

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 23, 2021

A well deserved milestone @ImIshant. Congratulations & best wishes for your 100th test match brother. This will surely be a momentous #PinkBallTest at #GCA stadium. #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/7pqsyudT04

— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) February 24, 2021

Congratulations @ImIshant. Not a bad place to play your 100th. Only second Indian pacer to do so after great @therealkapildev. I had the best seat in the house at short leg when he announced himself to the cricket world with that spell to @RickyPonting. #PinkBallTest #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/Y8ddOe8HSg

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 24, 2021

Congratulations @ImIshant for your 100th Test .. Very happy for you.. How bout a 5fer or Man of the match on ur 100th test ? all the best @BCCI @StarSportsIndia

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 24, 2021

The incredible story of @ImIshant reaches a beautiful milestone – That too at a spectacular new venue. Best wishes for both – Should be a spectacular pink test. #INDvENG @StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/sFxCuJw9b4

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 24, 2021

Congratulations @ImIshant on reaching 100 test matches. A fantastic achievement for any cricketer. Well done mate??#INDvENG

— Jason Gillespie ? (@dizzy259) February 24, 2021

Ishant Sharma is a bowler who has become better with experience. He is playing his 100th Test today. 25-match split of his career:

01-25: 70 wickets at 37.31
26-50: 71 wickets at 39.59
51-75: 74 wickets at 33.13
76-99: 87 wickets at 21.33

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 24, 2021

Ishant Sharma is going to become the only second seamer after the great Kapil Dev, to represent India in 100 tests. Congrats on this great feat @ImIshant. Battling with injuries, making comebacks, answering the critics with the ball. Your journey is an inspiration ?? #INDvENG

— ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ | Dodda Ganesh (@doddaganesha) February 23, 2021

100th Test for Ishant Sharma. Becomes 2nd Indian pacer to achieve this feat. Made his FC debut with Virat Kohli in 2006.
Last time England played with only one specialist spinner in India was 44 years back (1977 in Mumbai)

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) February 24, 2021

Kudos to a TON of effort! The speedster @ImIshant becomes the 2nd #Indian fast bowler after @therealkapildev to play his 100th test. #IndVsEng?? pic.twitter.com/Ratf9ZqW6X

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) February 24, 2021

If there is anything I would like to be in world today, it is this place. The biggest cricket stadium in the world. Can't wait to see our team in action today and congrats to Ishu Bhaiyya – @ImIshant for the landmark 100th test. ( 5 wicket pakka hai isme ) pic.twitter.com/CvOdGNdRbM

— RJ Raunac #Save Soil (@rjraunac) February 24, 2021

Ishant Sharma makes his 100th Test appearance today – his longevity is remarkable. Since he debuted, only two seamers have bowled more in Test cricket: Stuart Broad and James Anderson. #INDvENG

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 24, 2021