Delhi EXPress

NEW DELHI: Ishant Sharma has exhibited the early promise of becoming a fearsome fast bowler. But he finds himself in a testing situation that could so easily see him either being catapulted to greatness or buckling under the pressure of having to win matches for his country, depending on how he confronts challenges from hereon.

For, the lanky Delhi pace bowler has grabbed only 38 wickets in 13 Test matches so far, but still carries the burden of expectations that has shot up to an extent seldom thrown on a pace bowler from the country, especially in home conditions. He is a rare gift to Indian cricket and one of a diminishing breed who increases anticipation in the crowd each time he runs in to bowl, whatever the form of the game.

The beginning is often the most important part of one’s work and Ishant has not been found wanting in his early time. Even though England are likely to be more suspect against spin than the best of pace, Ishant will be expected to share the responsibility of bowling out the opposition in the revived two-Test series.

Termed “the next big thing in Indian cricket” by none other than Steve Waugh very early in his career, Ishant’s big incoming deliveries have been a huge hit in Australia and proved as penetrative in Indian conditions.

In the absence of Kumble, who had been the strike bowler for so long, the others will have no option but to pull their weight, and more. It is not just the spinners who are expected to be among the wickets in home conditions and Ishant and Zaheer will have to continue from where they left against the visiting Aussies.

But will Ishant measure up to the expectations this month? Seeing the way he bowled some feisty spells in helpful conditions to help Delhi notch a crucial outright win over Orissa in the Ranji Trophy last week, he looks primed for the occasion. Ishant has been bowling at a lively pace, moving the ball well and yet not giving much to the batsmen.
The challenge for the 20-year-old is to continue to be at his best, yet soak in all the learning. His coach Shravan Kumar, though, is confident it will be done without much effort by his ward.

“Ishant is a keen learner and you will see him improve with every outing. He has taken every opportunity to learn, be it from coach Manoj Prabhakar in the Delhi dressing room last season or from Glenn McGrath during the IPL. He has been bubbling with enthusiasm and I am sure he will do well against England,” said Shravan.

“He does not depend on other factors because of his height (6’ 4”) and a high-arm action that ensures disconcerting bounce. That will surely help him in this Test series too because there are not many like him around,” added Shravan.

Though he will be considered as one of the strike bowlers by skipper Mahendra Dhoni, Ishant will hold on to his own even if he doesn’t get wickets by the bagful. He will very likely be useful in short bursts and get important breakthroughs.