Ishant has to develop wicket-taking deliveries: Kapil Dev

Former Indian cricketer Kapil Dev recently backed the comeback bowler Ishant Sharma. The lanky pacer was out of action from the New Zealand series. He was recovering from chikungunya, which forced him to stay out of action. Sharma is now in the squad for the upcoming 5-match Test series against England. The first Test kicks off on 9 November at Rajkot. It will be interesting to see if Ishant makes it to the playing eleven for the match.

Speaking to the PTI in an event organized by Star Sports, Kapil Dev spoke on how the Delhi lad can make an impact. He hailed Ishant as a genuine pacer. Dev noted that his height always yields him an added advantage. However, the World Cup winning skipper believes that Sharma needs to develop wicket taking deliveries. Ishant has largely played the role of a containing bowler in the recent times.

“I think Ishant is a very good bowler. He is a genuine quick bowler with great height. But he has to develop the wicket-taking ball, that ability to take wickets at crucial times. Perhaps that’s where he is lacking. There is no shortage of ability and talent but somewhere the talent to take wickets is missing,” quoted Kapil Dev.

He further added how the wicket taking deliveries could come his way. Bowling consistent line and length holds the key, feels Dev. “One needs to bowl better, consistently bowl a better line and length. It’s not about bowling two very good deliveries in an over but you have to bowl five good balls. Then only you can pick up more wickets,” he quoted.

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Ishant has taken 209 wickets in 72 Tests at a strike rate over 66. This equates to the fact that he takes a wicket after every 11 overs.

The former Indian skipper also spoke on Hardik Pandya. Pandya was drafted in the Test squad for the first time. There have been talks of Pandya being the next Kapil Dev for the skill sets that he possesses. But Kapil Dev stressed that every player comes in with an individual identity. “You don’t have to find somebody. Every player will come with his own ability to make his own name. Can India find another Sachin Tendulkar, another Sunil Gavaskar?”, stressed the former Indian cricketer.

He further remarked that it is the job of the selectors to pick up a good player and then hone him even further. Only then can a good player become a better player. “I think everybody comes out with his own performance and personality. It is very difficult to start looking for somebody. My idea is that you should pick the best player around and make him a better player,” he conceded.

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