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Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma celebrates his 36th birthday on Monday (September 2). Known for his formidable presence in Test cricket, Ishant first captured the cricketing world’s attention during the 2007-08 Test series in Australia. Since then, he has firmly established himself as a red-ball specialist, representing India in over 100 Test matches.
His success isn’t limited to Tests alone; Ishant also contributed significantly to India’s limited-overs successes, including their Champions Trophy 2013 victory. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to cricket, Ishant was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2020.
Ishant Sharma’s top pick for a final bowling showdown
On this special day, Star Sports India shared an engaging video featuring Ishant and fellow cricketer Harbhajan Singh. In the video, the two cricketing stars engaged in a lively conversation with host Sahiba Bali. When asked whom he would choose to bowl to if given one final chance against an Australian batter, Ishant didn’t hesitate to name former Australian captain Steve Smith.
Despite the challenges, Ishant managed to dismiss Smith only once in eight Test encounters, during which Smith scored an impressive 176 runs off 364 balls against him, maintaining an average of 176. In limited-overs cricket, Ishant had more success, dismissing Smith twice in seven games.
Happy Birthday to the Indian speedster! 🥳
Watch #HarbhajanSingh, @ImIshant, and #SahibaBali share a funny story from a classic Ishant vs. #SteveSmith encounter. 🎂 pic.twitter.com/1CGtvMcHf3
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 2, 2024
A memorable incident during the Border Gavaskar Trophy
Harbhajan reminded Ishant of a memorable and humorous incident from their fierce Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test series against Australia. During the second Test of the 2017 series at Bengaluru, Ishant was seen making comical faces at Smith, a gesture aimed at imitating Smith’s distinctive batting mannerisms. This playful banter occurred at a crucial moment, with India having lost the first Test at Pune. The Bengaluru Test was pivotal, and Ishant’s antics, which included making faces that amused even captain Virat Kohli, became a highlight. India went on to win the Bengaluru Test by 75 runs, contributing to their series win.
Also READ: Meet Ishant Sharma’s wife – Pratima Singh: A talented athlete and loving partner
Ishant’s international career and recent performances
Although Ishant hasn’t played for the Indian national team since the home Test series against New Zealand in 2021, he remains an influential figure in domestic cricket. He is India’s joint-fifth highest wicket-taker in Tests, with 311 wickets at an average of 32.40 from 105 matches. Additionally, Ishant has accumulated 123 wickets across 80 ODIs and 14 T20Is. His last appearance in white-ball cricket was in 2016 during an ODI series in Australia.
Impactful performances in the IPL
Despite his absence from international cricket, Ishant continued to make an impact in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the 2024 season, representing the Delhi Capitals (DC), Ishant showcased his skill by taking 10 wickets at an average of 26.50 in nine matches. His performances were pivotal in DC’s resurgence during the latter half of the season. Ishant also had a commendable performance in IPL 2023, picking up 10 wickets in eight games. Though DC missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season, Ishant’s new-ball spells were a key factor in their improved performances.
As the IPL Mega Auction approaches later this year, it remains to be seen whether Ishant will continue with DC or find a new home with another franchise. His ability to deliver impactful performances, even at this stage of his career, makes him a valuable player in the T20 league.
