Paceman Ishant Sharma is looking forward to a special homecoming of sorts in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. After 12 seasons, the lanky bowler gets a chance to play for his “home”team—the Delhi Capitals. Widely considered a Test specialist, Sharma has taken 58 wickets in 78 IPL games so far. He hopes the return home will also give him a chance to seal a berth for the upcoming ICC World Cup in England.
Speaking to the media ahead of Delhi Capital's first match against Mumbai Indians on March 24, Sharma made a strong pitch for himself as the fourth pacer in the World Cup squad. “Why not? There is always a hope. To be honest, I am a positive guy. This IPL, I am hopeful, will be good for me. The Indian team is looking for a fourth seamer and, hopefully, I will be that fourth seamer.”
India's ODI pace attack is brimming with variety and numbers, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami having made a strong case for themselves. But a space for the fourth seamer is always there in the 15-member squad that is yet to be announced. Sharma's success in the England series and his experience of the conditions might also hold him in good stead.
He admits the perception that he is good only for Test cricket and not the shorter format is what he needs to dispel. “Perception is something players have been dealing with. To be honest, I don't know where this comes from. Whoever can do well in red ball cricket, can do well in any format. That's the basic of cricket. All you need to do is back your bowling with varieties. I had good Tests series wherever I played. If I do well in this format, hopefully, I will get a chance to go to the World Cup.”
Sharma has been the veritable IPL journeyman, having played for Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rising Pune Supergiants. Last season, he did not play for any IPL team and went to England to play county cricket.
His target is clear in this IPL—focus on taking wickets. “Earlier I used to focus on bowling well. Now it is time to take wickets. Even in England I said the same thing. I got tired of just bowling well. I want to take wickets now. Wickets are the only thing that can change perceptions.”
Sharma is now the senior most pace bowler in the Indian side and carries that responsibility with aplomb. In the Delhi Capital's team, too, he will be a senior pro. He has also taken on the responsibility of leading his state team Delhi in domestic cricket when he can guide younger players in first-class cricket.
He reiterated that helping Delhi Capitals win is the primary aim and not just individual performance. The Delhi franchise has been one of the underachievers of the IPL so far. “The target is for Delhi Capitals to win. One thing I have realised in my career is that you should keep your individual performance behind the team's performance. How many years can you live by your own individual performance? There will be a time when you take 300-350 wickets but you get bored. Making team win... the high of that is altogether different,” he said.
Sharma was asked about his views on using a standardised Dukes ball in all Tests—a suggestion that was reiterated by the recently concluded meeting last week of the Marylebone Cricket Club, which makes the laws of cricket. “I think it's a good thing, to be honest. There is always something for the bowler. With the Kookaburra ball, if there is nothing in the surface then the batsman will dominate. There is nothing for the bowler. That's why Test cricket is going down. With Dukes ball, there is always something for the batsman and the bowler. It swings up till 40 overs, and after 60-80, it starts moving again. So, bowlers always have something to look forward to.”
