Ishant Sharma, the towering pace bowler of Team India, celebrates his 35th birthday on September 2, 2023. Standing at an imposing height of 6 feet 4 inches, Sharma has embarked on an extraordinary journey to become an indispensable part of the Indian cricket squad. Following the retirement of the legendary Zaheer Khan from international cricket, Ishant has emerged as a linchpin of the Indian pace attack, particularly in the Test format. His debut in the international arena occurred in 2007 against Bangladesh in Mirpur.
Since then, he has featured in an impressive 105 Test matches, accumulating a remarkable tally of 311 wickets. Among his illustrious achievements are ten instances of taking four-wicket hauls and eleven five-wicket hauls. In addition to his remarkable contributions in Test cricket, Ishant Sharma has also left a substantial impact in the limited-overs formats. He boasts 115 wickets in 80 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and has clinched 8 wickets in 14 T20 Internationals (T20Is).
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Ishant Sharma’s career stands as a testament to his exceptional skill, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the sport of cricket, solidifying his status as a stalwart in the Indian cricketing landscape. As Ishant Sharma celebrates his 35th birthday, let’s revisit some of his most inspiring performances in the longest format of the game:
#1 6/51 vs West Indies, Bridgetown, 2011
In a Test match where Team India was bowled out for a mere 201 runs, the lanky pacer spearheaded the attack, delivering astonishing figures of 6/51 in the first innings. His remarkable performance caused the home side to collapse at 190 runs. He continued his dominance by claiming four more wickets (4/53) in the second innings, achieving a remarkable 10-wicket haul (10/108). This achievement ranks as the fourth-best for an Indian bowler in an away Test match. Although the match ended in a draw, Ishant Sharma was rightfully awarded the Man of the Match.
#2 7/74 vs England, Lord’s 2014
After going wicketless in the first innings, Sharma produced one of the most memorable spells in the history of Indian fast bowling during the second Test at Lord’s. The seasoned pacer dismantled the English batting order, securing seven wickets and playing a pivotal role in India’s 95-run victory on the final day. For his exceptional performance, he was named the Man of the Match.
#3 6/51 vs New Zealand, Wellington, 2014
After a narrow 40-run loss in the first Test against New Zealand in Auckland, India urgently needed a strong start in the second Test. Ishant Sharma answered the call by taking 6/51 to dismiss the Kiwis for just 192 runs in the first innings. The second innings saw impressive scores from the hosts, including a historic triple century from Brendon McCullum. However, Virat Kohli’s brilliant century ensured that India didn’t succumb to defeat in the Test.
#4 5/54 vs Sri Lanka, Colombo (SSC), 2015
While opener Cheteshwar Pujara received the Man of the Match award, it was Sharma’s remarkable spell of 5/54 that provided Team India with a commanding lead of over 100 runs in the first innings against Sri Lanka. He continued to contribute with the ball by taking 3/32 in the second innings, while Ravichandran Ashwin also played a pivotal role with 4/69. This collective effort led India to a convincing 117-run victory, marking their first away series triumph in four years.
#5 5/51 vs England, Birmingham, 2018
Apart from his memorable performance at Lord’s in 2014, Ishant Sharma delivered a disciplined bowling display to dismiss England for just 180 runs on the third day of the series opener in Birmingham. Sharma tore through England’s middle and lower order, securing impressive figures of 5/51, which marked his eighth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Despite his exceptional performance, Team India fell short and lost the match by 31 runs.
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Ishant Sharma’s career has been a tapestry of unforgettable moments and incredible achievements. His remarkable contributions have played a pivotal role in India’s success on the cricketing stage, making him a true legend of the game. As he celebrates his 35th birthday, cricket enthusiasts around the world eagerly await more memorable performances from this towering fast bowler.
