As India pacer Ishant Sharma is readying to play his 100th Test match when India and England clash in the pink-ball third Test at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad, he received a heartfelt tribute from his longtime friend and teammate Virat Kohli.
India captain Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma both started playing cricket for Delhi domestically together and even made their India debuts within a year of one another. Ishant made his Test debut against Bangladesh in 2007, while Kohli made his ODI debut for India in 2008. However, Kohli’s Test debut came in 2011 against West Indies.
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"Ishant started playing state cricket with me. We used to be roommates for a long time for state cricket, Ranji cricket," Kohli said during a virtual press conference ahead of the third Test of the series against England.
"When he got selected for India, he was fast asleep in the afternoon and I had to kick him and wake him up to give him the news. That's how far we go. We have great trust between us. I've been very happy to see him enjoy his bowling over the years," the India captain went on to add.
Kohli was all praises for Ishant Sharma, who will become only the second Indian fast bowlers after Kapil Dev (131) to play 100 Tests.
"Great achievement in modern-day cricket to maintain your body like he has and play 100 Tests, it is rare, especially among fast bowlers. Ishant could've easily prioritized white-ball cricket but full credit to him that he didn't.
I'm so happy that he is playing his 100th Test and hope he plays for India for many more years," Kohli said.
India and England go into the third Test with the series tied at 1-1 and with a place in the World Test Championship final on the line. India needs to win the series 2-1 or 3-1, while England needs to win the series 3-1 to play New Zealand in the final at Lord’s.
(NDTV inputs)
