18 Things you need to know about Ishant Sharma

18 Things you need to know about Ishant Sharma: Ishant Sharma came on to the scene with a bang when he bowled that magical spell to Ricky Ponting in 2008, but only flattered to deceive later on. Subsequent years were either marred with poor form or injuries. But since the New Zealand tour last year Ishant looks a changed bowler. He is willing to hold the seam upright and bowl fuller. The results are there for everyone to see. In the series against Sri Lanka in 2015, Ishant has been on fire especially in the 3rd Test. He took a fifer in the 1st innings and gave India a vital lead. Ishant does not mind a bit of verbal battle as was evident with his altercation with Sri Lankan pacer Dhammika Prasad.

Today we take a look at 18 Things you need to know about the lanky pacer:

1. Height

Ishant is one of the tallest Indian cricketers. At 1.93 metres, or 6’4’’, he stands tall above his teammates. Abey Kuruvilla, at 6’6’’ is often recognized as the tallest Indian cricketer.

2. The Test debut

He was first selected in May 2007 after an injury to Munaf Patel when India toured Bangladesh and made his Test debut in that same series.

3. Interesting coincidence

Ishant was a part of the Indian under-19 side for the tour of England in 2006. Interestingly, he made his Under-19 one-day and Test debut alongside Virat Kohli. And, the duo also made their First-Class and Ranji Trophy debuts in the same match, which was against Tamil Nadu in the 2006-07 season.

Also read – Ishant Sharma is a real workhorse: Craig McDermott

4. Sehwag’s Trust

While the spell Ishant bowled to Ponting is now part of folklore, most people don’t know that it was Virender Sehwag who prompted Captain Anil Kumble to give Ishant another over. Sehwag said that Ishant had always bowled long spells for Delhi, so he should be given another over to bowl against Ponting. Kumble agreed, and in the very next over, Ishant got the wicket of Ricky Ponting, making him a star overnight.

5. A costly buy

During the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2008 auction, Ishant was picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders for USD 950,000. He only picked up seven wickets in the tournament, which meant that each wicket cost USD 135,714.30.

6. Ishant’s Bunny

While most people consider Ricky Ponting to be Ishant’s “bunny”, that dubious record actually goes to England captain Alastair Cook. Cook has been dismissed 9 times by Ishant across all forms of international cricket.

Also read – Pratima Singh reveals the story of how Ishant Sharma proposed to her

7. Ishant’s Dropped catches

Three of the highest individual scores ever made against India in Test matches – Alastair Cook’s 294, Michael Clarke’s 329* and Brendon McCullum’s 302 – were all made after the batsmen were dropped by Ishant Sharma early in the innings.

8. Good Away Record

Of Ishant’s 7 five wicket hauls in Test Cricket, 6 have come away from India. Ishant has two five-fers in West Indies, two in New Zealand, one in England, and one in Sri Lanka.

9. Ishant’s fastest delivery

During the tour to Australia in 2011-12, he clocked 152.2 kph during the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne which is the fastest delivery he has bowled in his international career till date.

10. Nickname

Ishant, who hails from Delhi, is nicknamed Lambu (meaning Tall Guy), which is in reference to his lean and tall build.

11. The CB series 2008

In India’s landmark victory in Australia in the 2008 Commonwealth Bank Series Tri-series, Ishant was India’s leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps.

Also check out – Watch: The funniest field set ever by Australia for Ishant Sharma

12. Well done

In the 2008 home Test series win against the Aussies, he was named ‘Man of the Series’ for his 15 wickets, the only Indian pacer to be named series best player since Kapil Dev in 1983.

13. Venkatesh Prasad’s role

It was Venkatesh Prasad, who coached Sharma. Prasad helped him to introduce variation in his bowling, art of reverse swing, resulting in his affirmation on the world stage.

14. The Hero

Sharma’s 10 wickets in the 2013 Champions Trophy in England was one of the highlights of his ODI career. But his game-changing spell came in the all important final. While England were going strong Ishant picked up crucial wickets of Morgan and Bopara to turn the tide in India’s favour.

15. Not the worst batsman

Ishant puts a high price on his wicket and can bat with a lot of grit. For men who have batted at No 11 in more than 30 Test innings, Ishant has the average at 8.73.

16. A memorable partnership

In partnership with VVS Laxman, Ishant holds the record for the highest stand for the ninth wicket in a successful run-chase in Test cricket. Chasing 216 to win, India were reduced to 124 for eight when Ishant joined Laxman and scripted a fabulous fight back.

17. What a spell

In an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2011 encounter against the Kochi Tuskers in Kochi, Ishant embarrassed the hosts with a fantastic spell. Deccan Chargers were defending a modest 129 and Ishant ran through the Kochi batting order returning with figures of 5-12 to give his side an easy win.

Also read – 5 India bowlers who would have loved to bowl with the Pink Ball

18. The epic performance

Ishant took 7-74 in England’s second innings as India completed one of their most memorable away victories. The deadly spell came at Lords in the 2nd Test of the 2014 series. He used the short ball to perfection as England crumbled spectacularly.