I don't play for numbers, I play to win: Ishant Sharma

Fourteen years, 99 Tests, 302 wickets. Come Wednesday, Ishant Sharma will become only the second Indian pacer, after Kapil Dev, to play 100 Tests. It's not a mean achievement, considering he is a pace bowler, and the amount of cricket that is played nowadays. Some would say it was easier because Sharma does not feature in Team India's short-format plans, but then he does play in the IPL.

For Sharma, however, the key to survival and longevity has been to keep things simple. Not for him the hankering to be acknowledged or feted; or the unhappiness of not being given fair and due credit each time he bowls his heart out only because the 'wickets' column does not reflect so. From an 18-year-old enthusiastic bowler to the 32-year-old pace spearhead of Team India, Sharma has never really bothered about statistics. He does not over-analyse, overthink; in his own words, the statistics are just a number. What matters is enjoying the game and that, he says, has not changed since he made his debut against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2007. And it will again be there when he is handed the new ball by skipper Virat Kohli at the new but unfamiliar Motera ground – the venue of the third Test against England, which will be a day and night affair.

In 2008, a lanky boy from West Delhi with long hair made everyone sit up and take notice in only his fourth Test match against Australia in Perth, when he troubled Australian great Ricky Ponting with his probing line and length, snapping not just his patience and wicket.

Sharma has come a long way since. In fact, 2015 onward, his bowling average more than halved to 23.42. He now makes his presence felt with his swing and seam movement even in the company of his illustrious fellow bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Ahmedabad Test, Sharma said the milestone, for him, was just another number and nothing more, nothing less. Playing and winning Test matches is his only goal; to help Team India reach the World Test Championship final is his motivation and to play the final will be his World Cup final moment. The rest, he said, has been all about focusing on one match at a time, and not thinking too far ahead. Excerpts:

The turning point in your career?

It's been a 14-year-long career. So, it's difficult to pinpoint one moment as a turning point. For every sportsperson, the graph is never the same. It keeps going up and down. It's been the same with me.

What did you learn from seniors like Zaheer Khan when you came into the Indian team?

I learnt a lot from Zak (Khan). Especially, his work ethic. He kept telling me how important fitness is. That's what I tell everyone in the team - you work hard on your fitness, you will last longer.

Which bowling performance do you cherish the most – 7/74 at Lord's in 2014, or that great spell in Perth in the 2008 series in Australia?

At that time, in 2007-08, I was a youngster. I would just bowl, and not think much. I used to bowl in one area like we used to do in domestic cricket. But, when you play international cricket, you learn about lengths and situations. Gradually, I learnt and adapted as per the situation.

I play with only one motive - how to make my team win. That will remain my motivation as long as I play. You can ponder over your personal milestones at the end of your career; right now, these are just numbers to me. I don't play for numbers, I just play to win. I focus on being an impactful player, and help my team in a tough situation by breaking partnerships.

It (Perth Test in 2008) was just my fourth Test match. I was only looking to enjoy cricket, and bowl in areas I was told to. I did not try too much. When I was praised, I did feel confident. But if you see, there have been so many spells which many people didn't notice thereafter. When you are a youngster and trouble an established player, it gets highlighted. But, when you are an established bowler and do the same it doesn't get highlighted unless you take five wickets or put in a match-winning performance. This is a major difference; you feel pressure when you are an established cricketer. Every youngster learns these things gradually.

Was not playing white-ball cricket a blessing in disguise for a longer Test career?

Obviously. It's not like I don't want to play white-ball cricket. A sportsman only wants to play. But I don't think about it too much. I am grateful that I am playing Test cricket at least. It's better to be positive, whichever format you are playing. I don't think that had I played all three formats, I would not have played 100 Tests. I am only 32, not 42!

You are in the best shape of your career at 32. Do you plan to bowl like James Anderson at 38?

38 (laughs)! It's very difficult for a fast bowler to say that. I just go one game at a time, and don't think too ahead because you never know what comes next. I understand my body, what kind of training I need to do. I am more professional regarding my recovery. Earlier, I used to train very hard and not think much about my recovery. But now, I know that as you grow older, and bowl long spells, you need to look after yourselves.

You started your Test career in Bangladesh when Rahul Dravid was captain. From a bowler's perspective, who is the captain who understood you the most?

It's difficult to say because everybody understood me really well. I think rather than the captain understanding me, it's more important that I understand the captain what he wants from me. If that communication is clear, it becomes easy for you in the team.

Was it frustrating to miss the Australia tour due to injury?

I would have loved to go to Australia and complete my 100^th Test there but these things are not in your control. But, the more you forget things and move forward, the more simpler life becomes. If you get stuck on past performances, you can never move on, and the next match gets affected. I make the effort to forget, move on and focus on the next match.

Since 2018, you have taken 76 wickets in 20 Tests. What do you attribute this performance to?

I just played too many matches away from home! In India, if you don't bowl enough, how will you take wickets? Spinners bowl more at home. In India, the fast bowlers' role is less. To be honest, I bowled a lot outside, and that's the reason why I took wickets.

Are you aiming for Kapil Dev's record of 131 matches?

There's a lot of time for that. There is nothing in my mind now other than the Motera Test. We need to win this series and qualify for the WTC. This is like the World Cup for me, since I play only this format.

Do you think the short ball during twilight hours tactic will be effective?

We will get to know it once we play on this ground. I can't say now what will trouble the batsmen. We have to consider several factors like the dew, the second pink ball Test and lights. This match is on a new ground and even we don't know how the ball will behave.

In pink-ball Tests, do pacers play a bigger role?

It's difficult to say now. Against Bangladesh, in the pink-ball Test, I figured out the length after three overs. I realised I needed to bowl a bit shorter to get movement. I feel game will change with each session and bowlers will have to take responsibility. Under lights, even if ball is not swinging, it may skid and come on to bat. Then the pacers will come into play.

How did you feel when you were set to make your debut and how about now when you are going to play your 100^th Test?

I was lucky that then Ravi Shastri was the team manager and now, in my 100th Test, he is our coach. I was nervous; there was a huge crowd. My hands were sweaty, and I had to bowl. As a youngster, when you enter the dressing room for the first time, and share it with such big stars, it's a huge thing.

Now it's just a number - 100th Test. I played the 99th match with the same feeling and intensity, and I will play my 100th Test, too, the same way. As long as it is visible and I feel the same in my bowling, I will continue.