5 best bowling performances by Ishant Sharma
The tall Delhi seamer has often referred himself as a ‘rhythm’ bowler and has a great history of producing match changing spells from unexpected situations. It is no hidden fact that the bowler came into the limelight in 2007/08 tour of Australia where he asked plenty of questions to the reknowned Australian star Ricky Ponting. On his 26th birthday, let us remember his most inspiring and top performances in world cricket.
#6 Special mention: 5/12 - Kochi, 2011
The bowler was considered as the Test specialist these days. But, his effective wicket taking ability was there for everyone to see in past when he registered the outstanding bowling figures in an IPL match against the now defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala.
Deccan Chargers were defending a low score of 129 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, but ended up victorious by 55 runs when Ishant steamrolled the home side’s top order. After Dale Steyn picked up the wicket of Brendon McCullum in the first over, Ishant’s quality pace bowling saw him snare three wickets in space of 4 deliveries in the second over of the innings. Parthiv Patel, Raiphi Gomez and Brad Hodge had no clue whatsoever against Ishant.
In his next over, he picked up two more wickets including Mahela Jayawardene to end any chances of a fightback from the opposition.