Ishant Sharma a potential alltime great ?! Pfft! Ishant won't take 100 test wickets!

[Pancho]

i know.

[Chandan]

Ishant and the road ahead BCCI needs to put processes in place so that Ishant Sharma and company are protected PETER ROEBUCK Ishant Sharma presents a challenge to the Indian cricket community. Tall, dashing, lithe, fast and dynamic, the teenager has attracted widespread praise from friend and foe for his ability and spirit. In many opinions he has the qualities needed to become India’s first truly outstanding pace bowler. Amongst other contenders, the capabilities of ancients like Amar Singh and Mohammed Nissar have been lost in the mists of time whilst Kapil was a swashbuckling swinger an d Javagal Srinath made his name as a long-suffering seamer. But the ascent from promise to fulfilment is perilous and only the lucky few find Sherpas to show them the way. Nothing is inevitable till seen in hindsight. Although Ishant has an abundance of natural ability and comes across as a well-raised boy, his career can easily go wrong whereupon his country will regret its loss. It has happened before, a hundred times, in India and elsewhere, a lad catches the eye, prospers for a while and then falls into the traps that fame conceals. Typical traps Indian cricket must provide mentors for emerging players like Ishant, youngsters whose lives change beyond recognition in a few weeks. Observers could start by remembering themselves as 19-year olds, callow youths unable to resist any temptation, driving too fast, drinking too much, talking a lot and listening a little, playing loud music, wearing fancy rags, annoying the parents, immortal and secretly concerned. Unless Ishant is from outer space he will make these same mistakes as passion surges beyond the restraining capacity of reason. Of course playing cricket in India increases the challenge. Unless he had recently bowled his country to victory over Australia, a young paceman in New Zealand could walk unmolested down the main streets of Auckland. Other countries have a way of bringing youngsters back a peg or two. India is more inclined to abandon itself to exuberance, thereby reinforcing the effect. In a trice Ishant will be surrounded by backslappers and agents. As a typical teenager he may be delighted to find himself in the company of pretty young things inclined to dance till all hours but in the long run the agents are altogether more harmful. As a rule they think only about money and send their charges running hither and thither in its pursuit. Only the wisest help their players to improve their games. Unless he is careful Ishant will become rich in a year and then he will want more. It never stops. The rich can smile but they cannot laugh. Avoidable scenario Meanwhile his cricket will suffer because the formative years have been wasted. Nothing else can be expected from a boy who has known struggle. Poverty lurks around the corner, encouraging the previously afflicted to hasten towards wealth. It is avoidable. Christiano Ronaldo was sent to Manchester United precisely because the club was used to handling famous youngsters and knew how to help them towards maturity. Indian officials might consider consulting Sir Alex Ferguson. Certainly the BCCI needs to put processes in place so that Ishant and company are protected even as they are enriched, so that their education continues. India has been lucky to have an outstanding group of committed senior players these last few years. It cannot be taken for granted. Thanks to them a strong code has been instilled. It is a priceless asset. But these fellows are on their last legs. India cannot expect the next generation to remain immune. All the more reason to insist upon an enduring culture. IPL and the rest present a formidable challenge to those managing the game, and agog youngsters can easily lose their path. ------------------------------------------- A sensible article by Roebuck. But surprisingly he doesn't mention the work-load manament.