Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Answer your critics the Ishant Sharma way!

July 22, 2014 10:52 IST
Ishant Sharma (left) celebrates

Ishant Sharma's childhood coach Sharvan Kumar feels that all the criticism that the bowler faced in recent times was ‘justified’ and is also proud that his favourite ward has answered back in the best possible way by winning an overseas Test match for India.

SPECIAL: The architects of India's historic win at Lord's

Ishant didn't want to bowl short, I told him he has to, says Dhoni

"You can't deny that consistency has been a big problem for Ishant. Hopefully, this will be the series that will make him a better bowler. He received flak for his inconsistency and it was justified. Or else, he wouldn't have been able to correct his flaws and come back stronger," Sharvan said after Ishant's 7/74 helped in India's 95-run win.

Please click NEXT for more...

Sharvan didn't mince words in blaming Venkatesh Prasad for Ishant's problems

July 22, 2014 10:52 IST
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (left) speaks to Ishant Sharma

Asked about the kind of problems that Ishant faced, Sharvan didn't mince words in blaming former India bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad for the problems that crept up in his bowling.

"Ishant is a quick bowler whom Prasad insisted on turning into a line and length bowler. He lost his natural affinity for speed at one point of time. One thing led to other and his action became flawed. The shoulder started dropping and the wrist position also suffered. This caused a drop in pace as well as confidence," Sharvan, who coached Ishant at the Patel Nagar's RamjasCollege ground since he was teenager.

Please click NEXT for more...

'Action correction helped Ishant'

July 22, 2014 10:52 IST
Ishant Sharma celebrates dismissing Ben Stokes

He did speak to Ishant before he embarked on the tour of England.

"I told him to look at his wrist position which should be very straight. He was also becoming a bit open-chested on his final delivery stride which needed to go back to the old-fashioned side on action in order to generate speed.

"These are little things I told him and I believe that Joe Dawes has done a lot of good work with Ishant after the low he hit with Prasad as the coach," Sharvan said.

Please click NEXT for more...

'He will only get better'

July 22, 2014 10:52 IST
Ishant Sharma celebrates a wicket

Asked what should be the average speed that Ishant needs to maintain, Sharvan said, "When he is bowling between 135-140 kmph, he does a good job. Hitting the right length at that speed will be rewarding for him on all kinds of surfaces. Also in England, he has not drifted too often spraying the ball all over. Again, it is all about correction of action. He will only get better."

Please click NEXT for more...

'IPL snub spurred him to do well'

July 22, 2014 10:52 IST
Ishant Sharma

The veteran coach also said that he has told Ishant that he should be happy with what he has got.

"There are times when he feels bad about not being picked for one dayers but I tell him to look at the positive side that he is India's spearhead in Test matches.

"Also the snub that he got in this year's IPL where Sunrisers Hyderabad didn't play him in most of the matches spurred him to do well. He is an India bowler and he should feel the urge to show people how good he is when he is ignored," Sharvan concluded.

AGENCIES