Zaheer's presence in Australia Test series will make huge difference: Ishant
Ishant Sharma (L) says Zaheer Khan makes huge contribution is extremely vital for Team India © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Canberra: Dec 21, 2011
Right-arm India pacer Ishant Sharma says the presence of Zaheer Khan in the Indian attack will help the young pacers immensely in the upcoming four-match Test series against Australia.
“The kind of bowler that he is, [his return] will make a huge difference, not only to my bowling but to the entire team. He shares his experience with the young fast bowlers, helps us in forming our plans and setting the fields. Apart from his bowling, these are the areas where his contribution is extremely vital,” Ishant said.
Ishant, who impressed everyone with his brilliant spell in the 2008 Test match at Perth to Australian batting mainstay Ricky Ponting, credits his training and workout schedules for success.
“I haven’t made any changes in my action, just increased my workouts in the gym and physical training. The result is reflected in my bowling,” Ishant was quoted as saying by BCCI.
The lanky pacer was named Man of the Series for his superb performance in the West Indies, wherein he bagged 22 wickets in the three-match Test series.
“Now I’m feeling pretty strong and confident about myself; I’m bowling fast and in good rhythm,” he said.
Ishant recalls the dismissal of Ponting in the Perth Test during the 2008 tour, saying he had no plans against the Australian batting great, and he just aimed to pitch the deliveries in right areas. He added that such kind of miracles happen only at cricket field.
“At that time I was too new to deploy any tactics against a big batsman like Ponting. I was just trying to pitch it in the right areas,” Ishant says disarmingly, recalling the dismissal.
Against Ishant, Ponting was hopping and fishing, nicking and missing facing deliveries that were rising as well swinging for as many as seven overs.
When Ishant’s spell came to an end, Virender Sehwag requested the then captain Anil Kumble to let the right-arm pacer continue.
Ishant recalls, “After I had bowled seven overs, Ponting was on strike and that’s when Viru bhai came and asked me if I’d like to bowl one more over to him as he didn’t look too comfortable against me.”
Sehwag told Kumble, "Meri baat maano ... Ponting strike par hai aur ladka [Ishant] rhythm mein hai (Take my advice. Ponting is on strike and the boy is in rhythm).”
Kumble asked Ishant, "Ek aur karega? (Would you bowl another over?)", to which Ishant replied, "Haan karoonga (Yes, I will)".
Ishant then had Ponting caught at first slip by Rahul Dravid in his next over.
"These miracles happen on the cricket field at times,” the Delhi pacer said.
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