New Zealand vs India: Caught on stump mic - Did Ishant Sharma really abuse Zaheer Khan?

During a frustrating Day 4 for India in Wellington, Ishant Sharma was caught on the stump mic swearing at either himself, the batsman or what most fans appear to have concluded, Zaheer Khan.

Brendon McCullum, having scored a hundred at that time, nudged an Ishant Sharma delivery wide of long leg, where Zaheer, having just bowled an over, was looking to catch his breath a bit. He was slow in getting to the delivery, and batsmen ran 3 comfortably.

Ishant hadn’t conceded any run in that over till then and while walking back to his mark, cursed under his breath, which was caught on the stump-mic.

http://youtu.be/HuuQQs9veQA

http://youtu.be/uwg3w63375w

At the end of the day, it’s impossible to expect players to remain calm when their career is on the line, especially for Ishant Sharma, who recorded his career best figures of 6/51 in the first innings, and would have been hopeful of a similar return in the 2nd innings.

But what irked the fans so much is the fact that IF it was Zaheer he was flustered with (it may as well have been the batsman or himself), he should have shown more respect for the man who has carried the weight of India’s under-performing bowling for many years, and done it commendably.

But this is an extended poor phase for the Indian team. And in such cases, even the most insignificant things are just waiting to be blown out of proportion.