IND v ENG 2021: Ishant Sharma expects the game to change session-wise in upcoming pink ball Test

Ishant will become only the second Indian fast bowler to play 100 Tests when he takes the field in the third Test.

By Salman Anjum - 23 Feb, 2021

Set to play in only his second pink ball Test, India pacer Ishant Sharma expects the game to change session-wise under lights against England at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Ishant, who will become only the second Indian fast bowler to play 100 Tests when he takes the field in the third Test, addressed the media on Monday (February 22).

See Also: Ishant Sharma says 100th Test just a milestone; insists focus on winning the match

During the interaction, Ishant was asked whether the Indian bowlers would use the short-ball tactic in the twilight period and he replied: "That we get to know once we play at this ground, because it is renovated I can't really say anything now.

"We can't say what (will) trouble the batsmen and what will not, there will be a lot of things (that) we will have to see, we don't know how we will have to tackle all these things, there will be dew..."

Ishant also highlighted the importance of each bowler taking responsibility session-wise.

"How the wicket is here and how they (England) play, obviously under lights the ball swings, but you will have to see the dew factor, so there will be many things, and you cannot straightaway say that whether fast bowlers will remain in the game or the spinners.

"I feel the game will change session-wise and each bowler will have to take responsibility session-wise, who knows the ball might turn in the beginning here.

"Who knows if the spinners come to play in first two sessions, but under lights, when there is dew, the ball does not swing, but skids and comes onto the bat.

"Then, spinners are not in the game and fast bowlers are, so it depends on the situation and how the ball and wicket is behaving at that time," he said.

The veteran campaigner also backed the team's batsmen to put up a good show.

"I am sure our batsmen are really capable enough to tackle all those things, how they need to go and build their innings, to go on through the Test match," he added.

Ishant praised the renovated Sardar Patel Stadium and said the team was looking to play there.

"The stadium looks fantastic. To be honest, we are just looking forward to playing in this stadium.

"But we don't know what kind of challenges we will have to face here because it is a pink ball Test and lights are a bit different."

(With PTI inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 23 Feb, 2021

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