Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma, affectionately nicknamed “Lambu” by his teammates due to his towering height of 193 cm, was born on September 2, 1988, in Delhi. His passion for cricket ignited at the age of 14, setting the stage for a budding career in the Gentleman’s Game. Following the path taken by many Indian cricketers, Ishant’s journey to the national team began in the domestic circuit, as he made his debut for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy at 18 years old.

Ishant Sharma’s Remarkable Journey

Early Days and Breakthrough

Ishant Sharma made his Test debut for India against Bangladesh in May 2007, filling in for an injured Munaf Patel. His early promise was evident when he showcased his skills with a 5/140 performance against Pakistan in the same year, marking just the second Test of his career.

Rise to Prominence: The Australia Tour

Bowling Prowess Against Ricky Ponting

Sharma’s international acclaim skyrocketed during the 2008 Australia tour, particularly with his spellbinding bowling against legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting. That same series saw him clock a remarkable 152.6 km/h delivery, breaking the fastest ball record by an Indian at the time, a record later surpassed by Jasprit Bumrah. His outstanding performance in the CB series, where he took 14 wickets, caught the attention of the Indian T20 League, where he became one of the highest-paid players as Kolkata signed him in the inaugural season.

Consistency and Challenges

Highs and Lows Post Australia

Later in 2008, Sharma and Zaheer Khan wreaked havoc on Australia with reverse swing, earning Ishant the Man of the Series award as he claimed 15 wickets. However, 2009 saw a dip in his form, losing confidence in both the Indian T20 League and international formats.

Surgical Setbacks and Recovery

The subsequent years brought challenges, including ankle surgery in 2012, affecting his performance. Despite struggles during India’s tours and sub-par Test results, a brief resurgence came in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, where he was instrumental in India’s victory with key wickets.

Redemption and Return to Form

Key Performances and Career Milestones

Ishant made a notable comeback with a Man of the Match performance at Lord’s during the 2014 England tour, claiming 7/74 in the second innings. His ODI comeback against Sri Lanka in 2014 saw him achieve career-best figures of 4/34. Yet, injury woes kept him out of the 2015 ICC World Cup.

Continued Test Success

Despite the rise of other pace bowlers like Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant has remained a vital part of India’s Test squad. His resilience was evident in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, and in February 2021, he became the third Indian pacer to reach 300 Test wickets, solidifying his legacy.

Honouring Ishant Sharma’s Contributions

Arjuna Award Recognition

In 2020, Ishant Sharma was honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to Indian cricket. Known for his ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 140 km/h, Sharma’s impact as a “rhythm” bowler continues to inspire future generations.

FAQs About Ishant Sharma