India's blunt spearhead

[The Realist]

What is wrong with Ishant Sharma? MUMBAI: The visiting Australian team, considered as weak by many, put the Indian bowling to sword in the first of the seven One-Day Internationals on Sunday. While ODIs can be expected to be high-scoring affairs and more so on flat Indian tracks, the Indian bowling left a lot to be desired especially the bowling of Ishant Sharma. Lacking in line, length, imagination and pace, Ishant conceded 56 runs off seven overs after taking one wicket. Such was his lacklustre display that captain MS Dhoni had to opt for other bowlers to complete his quota. Dhoni was even seen gesticulating to the pacer indicating that the captain wasn't too happy. "It was not a 300-plus track, and we gave width to their batsmen. Our spinners brought us back into the game. Jadeja bowled well and Yuvraj struck at an important time, but we did not execute our plans," Dhoni said after the game. For someone who has played 51 Tests and 66 ODIs, a lot is expected of Ishant even on batting-friendly surfaces. The Delhi lad has worked hard on his fitness in the last few months, but right now he is clearly a shadow of the man who shook Ricky Ponting's confidence and dented his pride during a probing 70-minute spell, in Perth, in 2008. Manoj Prabhakar, who has worked with Ishant as the bowling coach of Delhi, is peeved at the way his former ward is bowling. "I don't know what Ishant is up to. He's missing both the line and length and there is no swing either," says Prabhakar. The former India all-rounder also feels there is a lack of good guidance for Ishant and someone needs to teach him a few basics. "Ishant needs to pitch the ball on the seam. He has lost that art. His basics are incorrect. I had worked on him before he went for the Australian tour in 2007, but he seems to have regressed ." The lanky pacer has battled ankle problems in the past and has even had issues with his wrist position which makes him release the ball with a wobbly seam. Dishing out length balls, especially in the slog overs, he has gone for plenty as was the case in the first ODI, in Pune. On how Ishant could get back to his best, Prabhakar says, "To me, the hunger to excel seems to be missing. His body language doesn't suggest that he wants to go back to his bowling mark and run in with a vengeance . Ishant also needs to realise the use of the crease if he is to attempt bowling yorkers." Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram, who worked with Ishant when he was bowling coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders, stressed that Ishant will get better at bowling yorkers only if he is given the task more frequently, during his commentary stint on Sunday. Prabhakar is peeved that the IPL and Champions League experience, where Ishant was in the company of former Pakistan bowling aces Akram and Waqar Younis (while playing for Sunrisers ), hasn't helped the bowler improve. "I wonder if there's anything being taught or if Ishant is really discussing his bowling or trying to improve," opined Prabahakar. Another former India seamer Ajit Agarkar, a teammate of Ishant at KKR, feels the bowler needs to motivate himself . "He has all the attributes a fast bowler can ask for. He has immense experience of playing for India in all formats and by now he would know that he needs to reinvent himself," said Agarkar. "There have been a few rule changes in ODIs of late, but in Indian conditions, the two new-ball rule doesn't give the bowler too much advantage. Yes, that one less fielder on the boundary is a big disadvantage. But the way Ishant has bowled in recent times, he needs to do better." http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-15/top-stories/43069407_1_ishant-sharma-bowling-coach-indian-bowling

[The Realist]

Bowlers who can replace Ishant Sharma Bengaluru: After Zaheer Khan was dropped from the Indian team due to lack of form, Ishant Sharma was supposed to take up the job of leading the Indian attack. But his form off late has hit an all-time low as he is getting hammered all over the park. Besides, these days he does not have anything to show in the wicket column. Sharma is lucky to hold on to his place for so long as skipper MS Dhoni seems to have a lot of faith on the young Indian seamer. However, if his performance does not improve, then it will be just a matter of time before he is replaced by some other Indian bowler. Let's have a look at the potential replacements for Ishant Sharma: Mohit Sharma: Mohit Sharma has done exceedingly well for the Chennai Super Kings over the last couple of years. He also did his bit when the opportunity came his way to play for India against Zimbabwe. He got the man of the match award on his debut ODI match. He got early breakthroughs to prove his worth for the side. Sharma can swing the ball both ways and has the knack of picking up early wickets which holds him in good stead for a spot in the Indian side. Shami Ahmed: Unlucky to lose out on a place in the Indian side, Shami Ahmed has already shown that he has the potential and nerves to make it to the national side when he made his debut against Pakistan earlier this year. Shami's strength is his line and length and he can also extract some swing with the new ball. Shami deserves a couple of more chances to establish his place in the side. Ashok Dinda: Ashok Dinda has had his fair bit of opportunities in the Indian side and has shown that he can develop into a good fast bowler. Allan Donald, the South African legend, rates him highly and the young Indian bowler has an unique ability to bowl fast which can be an asset in any conditions. Varun Aaron: Varun Aaron has been impressive in his short stint with the Delhi Daredevils and is an out and out fast bowler with raw pace. Aaron was in contention for a place in the Indian side before he got himself injured. Reports suggest that he has once again regained full fitness and is ready to go. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/131017/sports-cricket/article/bowlers-who-can-replace-ishant-sharma

[GautiMaan]

Ashok Dinda: Ashok Dinda has had his fair bit of opportunities in the Indian side and has shown that he can develop into a good fast bowler. Allan Donald, the South African legend, rates him highly and the young Indian bowler has an unique ability to bowl fast which can be an asset in any conditions

Id rather have Ishant:headshake:

[The Realist]

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/the-pressure-has-got-to-ishant/article5234564.ece The pressure has got to Ishant, and it reflects in his reaction after being hit. That helpless look on his face is what hurts Prabhakar the most. :hysterical: “He is your senior-most bowler now, and is not even able to land the ball on the seam." :cantstop: "I am sorry to see Ishant clueless in this regard. He is not able to bowl yorkers from an angle. His slower one has become predictable." :haha:

[G_B_]

how the hell does Ashok Dinda get into the bowlers who can replace? I would rather have ishant to him

[vvvslaxman]

Do we have any left hand seamer besides Unadkat? anyone from under 19?

[coffee_rules]

Do we have any left hand seamer besides Unadkat? anyone from under 19?

S Aravind, if you are in for more trundlers.

[express bowling]

The question is not why Ishant is letting us down. He is a bad bad bowler. Not international standard. The question is why is a substandard bowler being choosen ? Why ? Why ?

[vvvslaxman]

S Aravind' date=' if you are in for more trundlers.[/quote'] I am talking about bowlers.. :hysterical: not pie chuckers

[express bowling]

Do we have any left hand seamer besides Unadkat? anyone from under 19?

There is Pawan Suyal from over 19. He looks interesting.

[Lord]

Ishant CT avg 21, WI tri series avg 26, Pakistan series avg 15. 2 bad games on tracks where every bowler got thrashed and knives are out. Also his replacements are not really great.

read the bit about how he gets cheap wicket at the death helping his average

Do we have any left hand seamer besides Unadkat? anyone from under 19?

Srikant Wagh is there.looked quite decent in an A game I saw then there is Suyal.can bowl upto 140ks.but lacks control

[adi B]

Do we have any left hand seamer besides Unadkat? anyone from under 19?

Suyal and wagh are decent fast bowlers with good pace

[Number]

read the bit about how he gets cheap wicket at the death helping his average Srikant Wagh is there.looked quite decent in an A game I saw then there is Suyal.can bowl upto 140ks.but lacks control

He bowls at death and gets hit too because of that, but people chose to ignore that. I am not saying keep playing him forever, but its unfair to drop him after these 2 games. I would give him 2 more ODIs then see, if he is still struggling then drop him.

[Lord]

He bowls at death and gets hit too because of that' date= but people chose to ignore that. I am not saying keep playing him forever, but its unfair to drop him after these 2 games. I would give him 2 more ODIs then see, if he is still struggling then drop him.

do they? point is beihng the spearhead,hes supposed to pickup early wickets.He only seems to get wickets when batsmen are slogging.Thats not good enough.

[vvvslaxman]

He bowls at death and gets hit too because of that, but people chose to ignore that. I am not saying keep playing him forever, but its unfair to drop him after these 2 games. I would give him 2 more ODIs then see, if he is still struggling then drop him.

It is not about "numbers" It is about how he executes plans according to situations, according to bowlers. As Dhoni said "margin of error" should be minimal in the sense if you try to bowl a yorker and end up being a low full toss that is acceptable. If it is a waist height full toss or way down the leg side yorker then that is not acceptable. In Ishant's case there is no evidence of plans no evidence of thinking. We have to stop looking at numbers to justify and feel good about ourselves. As a bowler you should know what you can do what you can't do. Ishant by now should have realized he can't bowl a bouncer to save his life. Yet he keeps trying to bowl.. worst thing is not at the body generally wide outside off stump.

[Laaloo]

[express bowling]

He bowls at death and gets hit too because of that, but people chose to ignore that. I am not saying keep playing him forever, but its unfair to drop him after these 2 games. I would give him 2 more ODIs then see, if he is still struggling then drop him.

Ishant is someone who has got a lot of chances. He has neither been economical nor wicket taking. Most importantly, he has shown tremendous inconsistency. Innumerable times he has performed in a couple of matches only to fail for ten more. Why not try someone else ?

[Lord]

It is not about "numbers" It is about how he executes plans according to situations' date=' according to bowlers. As Dhoni said "margin of error" should be minimal in the sense if you try to bowl a yorker and end up being a low full toss that is acceptable. If it is a waist height full toss or way down the leg side yorker then that is not acceptable. In Ishant's case there is no evidence of plans no evidence of thinking. We have to stop looking at numbers to justify and feel good about ourselves. As a bowler you should know what you can do what you can't do. [b']Ishant by now should have realized he can't bowl a bouncer to save his life. Yet he keeps trying to bowl.. worst thing is not at the body generally wide outside off stump.

thats a travesty given his height.most tall bowlers have great bouncers and decent yorkers except Ishant

[vvvslaxman]

thats a travesty given his height.most tall bowlers have great bouncers and decent yorkers except Ishant

Look at Jason Holder. He has barely started his career. Already executes his yorkers very well.

[Number]

So its not about stats, just pick random bowlers and they will get you early wickets by bowling vicious outswingers with new ball on 400 runs tracks, and come back and bowl reversing yorkers at death.