Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma. (Pic source: DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
Former India pacer Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma have contributed immensely with the ball for the national team across the three formats of the sport. However, what makes their careers impressive is that the pair shares identical stats in the longest format of the game.
Notably, on Day 4 of the second Test between India and West Indies, Ishant and Zaheer were part of the broadcast team on JioCinema. In the midst of covering the match, the broadcasters displayed the duo’s stats in Test cricket that left everyone awestruck.
Impressively, both the pacers claimed 311 wickets with an identical 104 scalps at home and 207 away. The similarities did not stop just yet as Zaheer and Ishant also have an identical number of five-wicket hauls at 11 each and one ten-wicket haul in their Test careers.
Zaheer called time on his illustrious career in 2015 after having won the 2011 Cricket World Cup and was also part of the team that was one of the joint-winners of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. On the other hand, Ishant recently made his return in the IPL 2023 and relished a decent season with the ball for Delhi Capitals.
Speaking about the second Test in Trinidad, Rohit Sharma-led team India set a humongous target of 365 runs in the third innings after scoring 181 before declaring. The Windies could manage to get 76 runs but lost two wickets during the chase by the close of Day 4. While team India have a strong hold in the contest and are on the verge of clinching the two-Test series, it remains to be seen if the Windies can put up a fight on the final day.
Following the conclusion of the Test series, both sides will participate in the white-ball series including three ODIs and five T20Is. The ODI series proves to be a vital one considering that the Men in Blue play the ODI World Cup at home in October.