Ishant Sharma is all set to become the 11th Indian player to reach the landmark of 100 Tests when India take on England in the pink-ball Test in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old has had a long journey, spanning around 14 years, in Test cricket now and it requires supreme fitness, dedication and hard work to last this long.
India skipper Virat Kohli agrees to that and he was full of praise for his teammate while addressing the media on the eve of the third Test match of the series against England.
“I have known Ishant for many years now,” Kohli said.
“He started playing state cricket with me from his first season onwards. We have been room-mates for many years in state cricket, in Ranji Trophy cricket. When he got selected for India, he was fast asleep in the afternoon, and I had to kick him off the bed and say you have been selected. And he wouldn’t believe me. That’s how far we go back.
“I couldn’t be happier for him. Playing 100 Test matches as a fast bowler is no mean feat. Especially in our conditions where things get so difficult. But he persevered, he kept working hard. That’s been his essence from day one. Very hard-working guy, very honest about the game, about his ability, about what he brings to the table. Very self-assured.”
Ishant didn’t have the best of starts to his Test career. He was pretty inconsistent for a long time but it was his County stint with Sussex and the time spent with their coach Jason Gillespie that turned his career around. The best years of Ishant’s career have now coincided with Kohli’s captaincy as well.
“I have just been very, very happy to see him enjoy his bowling over the last four-five years and really become that stalwart of Indian fast-bowling group,” Kohli added.
“I was most excited to work with him and really bring the best out of him as an attacking fast bowler. Something that clicked immediately [when I took up captaincy]. He knows my mindset. He knows me inside out. There is a big trust factor. I know him inside out. I know he will respond to advice, he knows I am going to listen to his plans as well. I think it has worked really well for both of us. Not just for him as a fast bowler, but for me as a captain to have that kind of experience and the kind of consistency he brings along with the attacking lines and lengths he bowls.”
