Ishant Sharma

When Ishant Sharma was given lbw just eleven runs before India were to win the test match at Mohali, in the long walk back Ishant must be wondering whether he could turn out to be the villain for the n-number of no-balls that he bowled the other day. But this time the god was on his side, as Pragyan Ojha kept his nerves under control and took India to one of the most memorable victories in the history of Indian cricket.

Ishant Sharma is another star who has risen like Phoenix from the Ashes in this test match at Mohali.  On the very first day he had to pull himself out owing to hamstring injury and critics had carped that how could the selectors select a player who had to pull himself off from the ground the very first day. For Ishant Sharma it was becoming a recurring motif in his career and he decided to do something for it. SO when he came on the ground the next day he was bowling all fire and venom, especially in the second innings when he took three quick wickets in succession to turn the tables on the Aussies. But it was not a smooth turnaround. It was baptism by fire for Ishant Sharma, as in the process of redeeming himself he had to pass through the minefield of 14 no-balls, which no captain worth his grain would like at all. Therefore Ishant had to let his bat do the talking as well.

And boy did the bat talk. it would be the 31 most precious runs that Ishant Sharma would have made in his cricketing career, and he may go on to make more runs but these 31 runs would be cherished by him throughout his life as each run that he scored was worth its merit in gold, nothing less. To be able to survive the onslaught of pace battery, spin and the sledging behind the back, Ishant Sharma must have adopted the posture of a monk, and it certainly helped. Now Ishant Sharma can have the assurance that his place in the Indian cricket squad is secure for a long time to come, but one only prays that with such a monumental contribution Ishant also takes a vow not to bowl a no-ball. If he gravitates to it, then he indeed would become a terror across 22 yards for any batsman in the world.

Tags: Australia, Cricket, India, Indian Cricket, Indian Sports, Ishant Sharma, Mohali, Sports, Sports India, Test Match, VVS Laxman