Former Indian pacer Balwinder Singh Sandhu has criticized Ishant Sharma for his poor display of fast-bowling during the recently-concluded World Test Championship Final in Southampton. Sandhu says despite playing over 100 Test matches, Ishant looked like a newcomer in the final.
Team India took on New Zealand in the pivotal game and came second. Kane Williamson-led team won the final by eight wickets to lift their first ICC trophy since 2000 when Stephen Fleming’s team won the Champions Trophy. Interestingly, India were at the receiving end back then as well.
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Ishant Sharma looked off-colour during the final and managed three wickets in the first innings. He was bowling outside off stumps and failed to make the batsmen play during his spells. Mohammed Shami was the standout performer from India’s bowling lineup. It was Shami who brought India back in the game after getting out for 217 in the first innings.
“The Indians bowled short of length on Sunday but on Tuesday they pitched the ball up. You have to make them play off the front foot. The bowlers may be rusty but you take wickets by pitching it up and letting the batsmen drive off the front foot. Even after playing 100 Tests, Ishant looked like a newcomer to me. He should be leading the attack but Shami is doing that role. Bumrah, too, was disappointing with the ball not seaming,” Sandhu told CricketNext.
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Former Indian fast-bowler Roger Binny also criticized India’s choice of bowling combination for the final. India played three pacers along with two spinners – Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami along with Jasprit Bumrah were the pacers in the playing XI.
“I think they did not pick the right bowling line-up. You have to have someone who seams the ball, do a little bit with the ball. That’s what New Zealand did. They are not quicks. They kept bowling the right line and length. You cannot get batsmen out at 90 and 100 speeds but with seam and swing,” Binny said.
Now Team India will play England in a five-match Test series next. The series will commence from August 4 in Nottingham.
