The time has come for the selectors to have a final look into the probable Indian side of the World Cup 2019 squad. While most of the spots have been booked, there are a couple of vacancies which will be filled after some days into the IPL. This makes the first couple of weeks of the IPL so important to the players that have not sealed their berths.
One such cricketer is fast bowler Ishant Sharma, who is positive that he can be the fourth seamer in the Indian squad for the World Cup. He has been bowling well in recent times and believes that wickets are the only thing that will seal his spot in World Cup.
Ishant will be seen playing for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2019 after missing the IPL 2018 season. Capitals brought Ishant for INR 1.10 crores in the IPL 2019 auction.
In an interaction with the Delhi Capitals (DC), he said," I’m always a positive guy and always think something good is going to happen to me. I have opportunities to avail in this IPL. The Indian team is still looking for a fourth seamer. Hopefully, I am that fourth seamer. I got tired of the tag that I am bowling well. Now I just want to take wickets. Wickets are the only thing that can change ‘the perception’."
About perception, he stated," I think perception has played a big part in me not being in limited overs set-up. It is something that players have been dealing with, to be honest, but I don’t know frankly that from where these perceptions emerge."
In 2018, the 30-year-old pacer had a county stint with Sussex. He played four First-Class games and picked up 15 wickets bowling over 300 overs. He said," I think county cricket has helped me a lot as it was very hard work. Bowling 300 overs in just 16 days, I played four games. But it brought a lot of control to my bowling, especially to my line and length. Jason Gillespie gave me a lot of confidence. Even if I didn’t have a good day on the field, he backed me."
At the DC interaction, he was asked whether he is in touch with any of the selectors. He said," I’m not the one to talk to selectors. I only blame myself for my lack of performances. I think if they (selectors) are not selecting me, there has to be some fault in me. I don’t crib. I always take it on me."
Ishant Sharma has played 80 ODIs for India and picked up 115 wickets. However, he last played an ODI over three years ago in January 2016.
(inputs from deccanherald.com)
