Ishant Sharma, the tall, lanky Indian fast bowler, has achieved cricketing greatness with 105 Tests, 80 ODIs, and 14 T20Is under his belt, claiming a total of 434 wickets in international cricket. In a revealing interview with JioCinema, Sharma shared his remarkable journey from a young tennis ball cricket player to becoming one of India’s most successful bowlers.
Sharma’s road to 100 Test matches was unexpected, driven by an unyielding passion for the game. He admitted, “I never expected to play 100 Test matches. The sport’s allure fueled his dedication, a trait passed down from his father, a fast bowler who never had the chance to play for India. My father always encouraged me to follow my dreams.”
His early days saw him gravitating towards tennis ball cricket due to his height. “I started playing tennis ball cricket when I was young.” Recognizing his innate bowling talent, he swiftly progressed to his local club team, setting the stage for his future success.
At Ganga International School in 10th standard, a stringent training regimen crafted by Coach Shravan pushed Sharma to bowl relentlessly. “My coach, Shravan Sir, had a very strict training regime. He made me bowl for hours on end.” The initial struggle paved the way for enduring physical and mental strength, propelling him into Delhi’s junior teams and eventually onto the international arena.
Sharma made his international debut against Bangladesh in 2007. “It was a dream come true,” he said.
Ishant’s unwavering dedication to his craft meant that the demanding workload never felt burdensome. Every time the captain would turn to him, he would deliver. “I’ve never felt like I was bowling too much,” he concluded.
Sharma is now one of the most experienced bowlers in the Indian team and is still going strong at the age of 33.