Former Indian pacer Ishant Sharma, who turned 36 on September 2, 2024, remains one of India’s most iconic fast bowlers, despite not being part of the national setup since 2021. His impressive career, which spanned over a decade, boasts 434 wickets across 199 international matches, securing his legacy as one of India’s most accomplished bowlers. Ishant’s contributions have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket, and his memorable spells continue to be fondly remembered by fans and cricket enthusiasts.
One such unforgettable moment in Ishant’s career came during the 2008 Perth Test against Australia, where he delivered a spell that would go down in history as one of the finest by an Indian pacer. At just 19 years old, Ishant had already shown glimpses of his potential, but it was his fiery spell against the then-Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, that truly announced his arrival on the international stage.
WATCH – Brett D’Oliveira’s Brilliant Run-Out Turns The Tide In Vitality County Championship
With Australia chasing a daunting target of 413 runs to win the Test and secure the series, Ishant unleashed a relentless seven-over spell that had Ponting, one of the world’s best batsmen at the time, completely out of sorts. His raw pace and accuracy kept Ponting on the back foot, and the young pacer didn’t give the seasoned Australian any room to settle.
1⃣9⃣9⃣ Intl. Matches 👌
4⃣3⃣4⃣ Intl. Wickets 🙌
Member of #TeamIndia‘s 2013 ICC Champions Trophy-winning team 🏆Here’s wishing Ishant Sharma a very happy birthday 🎂 👏@ImIshant pic.twitter.com/PaoZTVrhDs
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 2, 2024
It’s not an easy task to get the better of Ricky Ponting – but that’s what Ishant Sharma did as a 17-year-old in 2008! @ImIshant turns 32 today. pic.twitter.com/zpMRQFcoGh
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 2, 2020
The pressure finally paid off when, in the first delivery of his eighth over, Ishant produced a delivery that cut Ponting in half, inducing an edge that was comfortably taken by the wicketkeeper. Ponting, who had been tormented throughout the spell, was dismissed, leaving the teenager pumped with adrenaline.
ALSO READ: Anil Chaudhary Praises MS Dhoni’s Decision-Making, Suggests He Could Be a Great Umpire
Ishant had already dismissed Ponting in the first innings, and his 24 overs across the two innings played a crucial role in India’s historic victory in Perth. The win, achieved with a full day’s play to spare, was a testament to the impact Ishant had on that match, and it remains one of the defining moments of his illustrious career.
