Ishant Sharma: In the world of cricket, there are a select few players who may not shine with the bat but make a substantial impact with the ball. One such Indian cricketer who has had a distinguished career as a bowler but struggles with his batting is Ishant Sharma. Ishant, primarily a fast bowler, has been a key member of India’s pace attack for over a decade. However, his batting has rarely been up to par with the expectations set for top-order batsmen. Despite this, Ishant has consistently maintained a very good bowling average, making him one of India’s finest fast bowlers of the modern era.
Ishant Sharma: A Leading Fast Bowler
Ishant Sharma made his debut for India in 2007 and has since played a pivotal role in India’s bowling attack, especially in Test cricket. Known for his height, pace, and ability to extract bounce, Ishant has been instrumental in India’s success in foreign conditions, especially on fast and bouncy pitches. However, when it comes to batting, Ishant has not been able to replicate his bowling prowess, and his batting statistics are often criticized.
Career Overview:
- Test Matches Played: 105
- ODI Matches Played: 80
- T20I Matches Played: 14
- Total Wickets (Test): 311
- Bowling Average (Test): 32.41
- Batting Average (Test): 4.65
- Best Bowling Figures (Test): 7/74
- Batting Average (ODI): 7.29
- Bowling Average (ODI): 29.53
- Best Bowling Figures (ODI): 4/26
- Batting Average (T20I): 3.25
- Bowling Average (T20I): 21.66
Ishant’s bowling average of 32.41 in Test matches is highly commendable, especially for a fast bowler. His consistency and ability to bowl long spells, along with his capability to pick up wickets in all conditions, have made him a valuable asset to India. On the other hand, his batting average of 4.65 in Tests and 7.29 in ODIs is quite poor, showcasing his inability to contribute much with the bat.
Ishant Sharma’s Impressive Bowling Career
Ishant has been a key figure in India’s rise as a top fast-bowling nation, especially on foreign soil. His ability to bowl long spells and extract bounce from pitches has often troubled batsmen. Some of his standout performances include his 7-wicket haul in an overseas Test and his contribution in India’s historic Test series wins, particularly in Australia.
| Year | Opponent | Wickets Taken | Match Result | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Australia | 3/12 | India lost | A breakthrough performance in Australia |
| 2011 | West Indies | 5/63 | India won | A match-winning performance in the West Indies |
| 2014 | England | 7/74 | India lost | Career-best figures in a tough series |
| 2018 | Australia | 5/43 | India won | Vital contribution to India’s first-ever series win in Australia |
| 2019 | New Zealand | 4/38 | India lost | Steady performance in a challenging series |
| 2020 | Australia | 3/40 | India won | Key wickets in India’s historic 2-1 victory |
As the table shows, Ishant’s bowling has consistently been impactful, particularly in overseas conditions. His ability to bowl long spells and get crucial wickets has been vital for India, especially in foreign conditions where Indian pacers have struggled in the past. However, his batting statistics pale in comparison.
Ishant Sharma’s Batting: Struggling at the Crease
Ishant’s batting has been limited throughout his career, with his primary role being to provide support with the ball. While he has occasionally shown the ability to score a few useful runs in lower-order partnerships, he has never been known for his batting ability. His batting average of 4.65 in Tests and 7.29 in ODIs reflects his struggles at the crease, where he often fails to make a significant impact.
| Year | Opponent | Runs Scored | Match Result | Batting Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | West Indies | 1 | India won | Fell cheaply in a low-scoring match |
| 2014 | England | 6 | India lost | No significant contributions with the bat |
| 2018 | Australia | 0 | India lost | Dismissed cheaply in both innings |
| 2019 | New Zealand | 9 | India lost | Limited contributions in a tough chase |
| 2020 | Australia | 12 | India won | A useful knock in the lower order |
| 2021 | England | 8 | India lost | Failed to contribute with the bat |
Ishant’s highest Test score stands at 16, and his ability to stay at the crease and make meaningful contributions with the bat has been quite rare. His batting, while improving slightly in some series, has mostly been lackluster and remains a significant area of weakness in his career.
Comparing Ishant Sharma’s Bowling and Batting Performance
To better understand the gap between Ishant’s impressive bowling and poor batting, let’s compare his statistics with some of the best Indian bowlers who have had good batting records, as well as others with similar bowling abilities but weaker batting.
| Player | Matches Played (Test) | Batting Average (Test) | Bowling Average (Test) | Best Batting Figures (Test) | Best Bowling Figures (Test) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ishant Sharma | 105 | 4.65 | 32.41 | 16 | 7/74 |
| Kapil Dev | 131 | 31.05 | 29.64 | 175 | 5/43 |
| Zaheer Khan | 92 | 24.23 | 32.94 | 88 | 7/87 |
| Mohammad Shami | 60 | 24.93 | 28.69 | 51 | 5/35 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 28 | 19.21 | 24.45 | 53 | 6/27 |
As seen in the table, Ishant Sharma’s batting average of 4.65 is significantly lower than many of India’s top fast bowlers, including Kapil Dev, Zaheer Khan, and Mohammad Shami, who have better batting averages despite being known for their bowling. While Ishant’s bowling average of 32.41 is competitive, his inability to make any meaningful contributions with the bat sets him apart from some of the other all-rounders and fast bowlers in Indian cricket.
The Role of Ishant Sharma in Indian Cricket
Despite his limited contributions with the bat, Ishant Sharma’s role as a bowler has been indispensable to Indian cricket. Over the years, he has been part of several significant bowling partnerships with players like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Ravichandran Ashwin, providing India with a solid pace attack. His ability to bowl with pace and extract bounce has often made him a dangerous bowler, especially in overseas conditions.
In terms of Test cricket, Ishant has played a vital role in India’s rise as a dominant force in world cricket. He was one of the key figures in India’s historic Test series win in Australia in 2020-21, taking crucial wickets and bowling long, relentless spells. His experience and skill with the ball have been crucial for India in various overseas conditions, and he continues to be a key figure in India’s pace bowling attack.
Conclusion
Ishant Sharma is an excellent bowler whose bowling average of 32.41 reflects his consistency and effectiveness in Test cricket, particularly in challenging overseas conditions. However, his batting has often been a weak point in his career, with a batting average of 4.65 in Tests and 7.29 in ODIs, making him one of the least effective lower-order batsmen among India’s fast bowlers.
While Ishant has not been able to contribute significantly with the bat, his invaluable role as a fast bowler for India is undeniable. His contributions with the ball, especially in India’s historic series victories abroad, make him one of the most important bowlers in Indian cricket history. Despite his shortcomings with the bat, Ishant’s impact as a bowler continues to define his career and solidify his place in India’s pace attack.