On Friday, Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma stole the show as he took 5 wickets of Bangladesh in the historic Day-Night Test match which was held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. He said the “healthy competition” among India’s bowlers makes him excel after his five-wicket haul in the first-ever pink ball Test of both the teams. In the end, Ishant Sharma’s figures in the first innings were 5/22. Ishant was ably supported by his fellow quick bowlers Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav who shared the remaining five wickets between them. This is his first five-wicket haul in India after 12 years.
Indian pacer said, “I think the important thing is that we have a very healthy competition. It will only improve your performance, If there is no competition and if you are comfortable with what you are doing. If you don’t have someone to challenge your place, I don’t think you can perform this well.”
The 31-year-old Ishant Sharma said “Earlier I used to think that I am beating the batsmen but still not taking wickets. Now I don’t think all that. All I tell myself is that I have to take wickets. I am enjoying my cricket right now. I used to put a lot of pressure on myself before.”
“Obviously, I have the experience, and so I need to adjust to the conditions as soon as possible. You may have observed before I normally used to bowl outswingers to left-handers. I needed to add variation because your game improves only when you add variety ” said Ishant.
“So, in this match, Imrul Kayes dismissal was that ball and the two bowled dismissals too. Batsmen think the ball will move after pitching but it goes straight. Somewhere you do feel bad but I am at such a stage in my life I have stopped worrying about these things, They don’t affect me.” he added.