Sports
Kings XI Punjab medium-pacer has become faster than last season and is more matured, thanks to Ranji Trophy
Updated : Sep 29, 2017, 09:24 PM IST
Sandeep Sharma is continuing to do what he did for the Kings XI Punjab last season: swing the ball and pick up wickets.
But there's a difference this time around. The 21-year-old medium-pacer has taken his pace a few notches up, something he says he worked on over the past year.
"I've increased my pace from last season, which has made a big difference. I've also altered my lengths. Before, I didn't have much pace, so I used to bowl fuller. But with more pace, I've now started to hit a length and try to hit top of off stump. Such changes have helped me," Sharma said on Monday, a day before his team takes on the unbeaten Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad.
The Punjab lad had a fruitful IPL-7, picking up 18 wickets in 11 matches to become KXIP's highest-wicket taker. This season, he's already picked up seven wickets in four outings, including a brilliant 4/25 against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the last game.
Apart from the increase in pace, Sharma reckons bowling on flat and turning tracks in the Ranji season helped him develop as a bowler.
"A big reason why my bowling has improved is because we played most of the Ranji Trophy matches on flat pitches and turners. You need better fitness to bowl well on such pitches. You need better skills to take wickets. Your pace has to be up there, you need to know how to reverse the ball. That is how you take wickets there," Sharma, who finished with 28 wickets in seven matches, said.
Sharma was picked for the India 'A' squad that was set to tour Australia in July last year, but a stress fracture meant he couldn't go. Not one to get disheartened, Sharma is keen to do all that good work again this season and impress the selectors.
"I don't think too far ahead. I'm focussing on the IPL. I take it one game at a time. I was everywhere last year after my IPL performance, even in India 'A'. It's another thing that I got injured. But if I perform like that, I know the selectors are watching, and I know I will get the credit for it," he said.
One would think Sharma would be taking a lot of bowling tips from teammate Mitchell Johnson, one of the best fast bowlers in the world currently. But Sharma said they talk less about bowling.
"Honestly, we discuss less about our bowling, and more about things like how to improve fitness levels, how to train wisely, how to control speed, how to maintain a diet chart and how to handle pressure situations. We discuss things like when the batsman is hitting you, how to carry yourself on the field and be positive," he said, adding he idolised England's James Anderson.
"I get inspired watching Anderson. He is one of my favourite bowlers. I'd love to replicate what he does at the highest level," he said.