Published: Aug 31, 2015, 10:35 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 31, 2015, 10:36 AM (IST)
Having been bowled out for 312, India always required a good bowling performance to seize initiative in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo. They did not have to wait too long before the first signs of initiative-seizing bowling came along. Ishant Sharma steamed in and delivered each bowl with accuracy, zest and hunger for another wicket. Rishad D’Souza believes the onus is on Ishant to make good his rediscovered rhythm to avoid yet another fizzle that has become so commonly associated with the lanky right-armer. FULL SCORECARD: India vs Sri Lanka 2015, 3rd Test at Colombo (SSC)
Ishant Sharma is a force to reckon with. Ever since ‘that’ spell against Ricky Ponting at WACA, Perth, he has been identified as being India’s venom-tipped spear. When on song, he does live up to the tag and has won India a few Tests single-handedly. In 2014 at Lord’s, he wrecked through the English batting line up mercilessly giving India the short-lived joy of a famous victory before they lost the remaining three matches in the series. ALSO READ: Kusal Perera, Rangana Herath fight to prevent a fatal slide for Sri Lanka
Ishant’s problem is consistency. He can be the perfect bowler on one day and be absolutely wayward the next. Infamously, he is also remembered for conceding 30 runs in an over to Australia to let them score an improbable win over India in a One-Day International (ODI) at home. That’s how Ishant’s career has panned out so far; glorious highs closely followed by miserable lows.
He is a rhythm bowler. When Ishant has his mind clear and motive locked in, he is almost unstoppable. However, often, it seems like he simply lacks that clarity of motive. Frequent injuries have not helped Ishant in the quest to achieve sustained success. His bowling average of over 36 hardly is any reflection of his skill, but it is indeed an apt representation of how rarely he puts his skill to optimal use.
On Day Three of the third Test against Sri Lanka, Ishant yet again gave ample proof of what an amazing talent he is. He ran in hard albeit with a free flow to his run. The lengths he bowled were almost impeccable and on a surface progressively flattening out, he marked out areas that could still create problems for the batsmen. His seam position was as good as can be and pace was right up there. In addition, the natural bounce he generates made life difficult for batsmen.
Ishant was rewarded with a fifer, as Sri Lanka were shot out for 201. There is no doubt that Ishant has hit a purple patch yet again. At the age of 27, his task is now to not produce irregular bursts of potential-maximised bowling, but to find a way to be consistent in doing so.
As a fast bowler, there is no foolproof way to stay clear of injuries at all times, as is there no way to stay fatigue-free. Ishant though, has to learn how to avoid injuries and fatigue from disturbing his rhythm. If Ishant manages to do that, he could go down as one of the greats, failure of which will consign his career to being an example of unrealised potential.
(Rishad D’Souza, a reporter with CricketCountry, gave up hopes of playing Test cricket after a poor gully-cricket career. He now reports on the sport. You can follow @RDcric on Twitter)
