Delhi pacer lifted up his game once more against the No. 1 team
BANGALORE: Though Zaheer Khan with a five-for emerged the most successful Indian bowler in the first innings against Australia at Bangalore, it was Ishant Sharma who clearly set himself apart from the rest of the bowling attack on Day Two. He caused serious discomfort to the Australian batsmen with pace and bounce that Brett Lee and company would be proud of and got significant breakthroughs when India needed them the most.
On the first morning, he had bowled a fiery spell and got the important wicket of Simon Katich. On Day Two again, it was crucial for India to get a wicket early morning to check the Australian total. Ishant cleaned up Shane Watson in just the third over of the day, and after Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin had a solid stand of 91, Ishant broke the dangerous-looking partnership in the post-lunch session. Only a couple of overs later,
Ishant got debutant Cameron White.
Bending his back, Ishant consistently clocked in the 140kmph range and beat the batsmen for pace on the hard track quite a few times. His figures of 4 for 77 in 30 overs were very impressive.
Ponting had admitted at close of play on the first day that Ishant was someone who might trouble them in the series. “He bowled very well in Australia; looks like he has got stronger as well. He will trouble all our batsmen at some stage of the series. I am sure he will trouble a lot of international players if he stays fit,” Ponting had said.
