The Indian fans have been privileged to witness the revolution that the Indian cricket team have witnessed over the years when it comes to fast bowling. Under the regime of Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket team has improved tremendously when it comes to fast bowling and this was the time when the Indian team started winning matches on foreign soil.
The likes of fast bowlers like Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah have been the centre around which the bowling lineup evolved. One of the players who was the flag bearer for India was Ishant Sharma. The 34-year-old rose to cricketing prominence during the 2007-08 Test series in Australia. Standing tall at 6’4″ with a rhythmic, high-arm action, he consistently bowled at speeds of around 140 kph.
Despite starting serious cricket at the age of 14, he quickly made his mark, debuting in the Ranji Trophy at just 18 years old. Ishant opportunity in the national team came when an injury sidelined Munaf Patel during India’s tour of Bangladesh in May 2007, but it was Down Under that he truly shone. His performance in Australia garnered praise from none other than Steve Waugh, who hailed him as the next big thing in Indian cricket.
Ishant showcased his ability to move the ball both ways, with his spell in the second innings in Perth, where he set up Ricky Ponting, becoming legendary. His excellence extended to the one-day series, where he even touched speeds of over 150kph, and he emerged as India’s top wicket-taker in the triumphant campaign. Ishant Sharma’s rapid ascent in the cricketing world was a testament to his talent and dedication, and he became a vital asset for the Indian cricket team.
Very few of the Indian bowlers have achieved the feat of playing 100 Test matches for the Indian national side. In the 105 Test matches that the furious speedster has played for India, the prolific bowler has taken 311 wickets with 11 wickets haul and one 10-wicket haul. Overall in the international circuit, the right-arm pacer has taken 434 wickets which speaks about the volume of dominance he had in international cricket.
His match-winning spell of 7/74 at Lord’s Cricket Ground in 2014 was one of the highlights that the fans will never forget.