Ishant Sharma and his ODI problems

I agree with Hydpearl that Ishant is missing Zaheer. Zaheer was performing supremely great during the last couple of years, and the pressure built by him at one end was providing a great help to Ishant at the other. Secondly, there is one more factor that needs to be taken into consideration for this comparison. The period in which Ishant performed well, he was kinda unexposed to maximum batsmen in the world and he played his maximum matches outside the sub-continent. Whereas, in 2009 he played most of his cricket in sub-continent. The line and length on the flat sub-continnent pitches, it altogether different from the one required in Australia. Ishant lacks the speed and he tries to hit the deck hard. This may not work on the pitches in India/SriLanka/Westlndies, where he has played his maximum matches in 2009. He needs to focus on the long-term solution to his problem and not for any workaround. Probably, he needs a rehab at NCA and should play some more domestic cricket.

I really think Mr. Rajesh has hit the nail on the head when explaning Ishant's dip in form is due to his lack of effectiveness at the beginning of the innings. At their peak, I think Zaheer and Ishant are among the best opening bowling pairs in the world. Zaheer's injury impacted Ishant as it put a lot more responsibility upon him but his response hasn't been too emphatic. Dhoni puts a lot of faith into Ishant but he is turning more into a stock bowler rather than the shock option with his distinctive extra bounce and hurried pace. His performance against Australia in the recent CT was telling. Two years ago, he terrorised our batsmen, not least the great Ricky Ponting. In that game, he was battered, whilst Ponting had absolutely no issues in countering him. I really feel he is still one of the best fast bowling talents India have come up with and they need to nurture him, everyone will go through a rough patch, he needs the guidance of a great to help him rediscover his potential.

Build up competition. The Indian team and the board functions like the Indian govt. If Ishant Sharma's performance is dipping then it certainly is not the end of the world. Let him work on his bowling. Certainly there are promising bowlers like Pradeep Sangwan, Sudeep Tyagi, Kamran Khan, Abid Nabi Ahengar, Sidharth Trivedi, and Atul Sharma around. So lets not begin to think Ishanth Sharma is the only bowler around. It can only benefit inidan cricket if the talent pool of pacers is bigger.

How about selecting a few more promising pacers for starters. The problem with India and Indian cricket is once we find someone then we go on praising them and make it look like that they are the best in the world until the truth becomes too obvious that they arent the best. For starters pick up these pacers Kamran Khan, Abid Nabi Ahengar, Sidharth Trivedi, Atul Sharma. And along with the other familiar names they can be included and should be given a feel of international cricket and not make the one bowler we get into the greatest prospect ever and forget that there are others too who should be given a try. In fact the more the bench strength things can only get better and certainly not worse.

Dropping him will not do any good to his confidence.. I think Ishant needs a proper mentor.. He jumped to the International arena with bang.. Now that his surprise factor is over, he has to evolve as a bowler.. there is no doubt about his talent and potential.. But those who know cricket also know that 'talent' or 'potential' are very frivalous words.. He needs a good partner at other end and a good person to talk to who can monitor his progress.. But then there is the fear of going the Irfan way.. the perfect case of too much advice from too many people.. I think we all have be disappointed by Ishant.. Then how much have we invested in him.. He has not come from any academy..neither anyone is ready to take care of him.. BCCI just wants to encash him as much as possible.. Its time like these that young players need calm head around them... Hope, Ishant realises this in time and gets his act together...

Ishant needs to warm up properly before he takes the field so that he is fully loosened. Secondly, he needs to focus more on a plan of action for each batsman that he bowls.Thirdly he must bowl to the field set. These are important aspects for every bowler. Currently, Ishant is not doing any of these. His very first ball is a loose one which shows that he does not warn up properly. His direction is often erratic & he is not bowling to the field set for him. Ishant should practice bowling at marked areas and learn to hit the target consistently. This is what great bowler like McGrath does. Pace bowling is not just bowling fast but learning to control length, direction and swing. This is expected of any test fast bowler.Unless Ishant learns to do this he will never be a good bowler. This applies to all Indian pace bowlers who have been very poor. RP Singh, Kumar, Sreesanth, Munaf and Irfan should all be focusing on these fundamentals so that India is well supplier with good bowlers.

I feel sorry for Ishant Sharma. He's being turned into a stock bowler. What a waste of talent. What a loss for India. Atleast Srinath, India's first genuinely fast bowler, didn't have the self-belief to cut loose until much too ate in his career. Even then, knowing the number of overs he would have to bowl, he tended to bowl within himself to conserve energy. The tragedy with Sharma, who also natural pace and movement, is that he knew early in his career that he could me more than just another medium pace stock bowler. Instead of using him sparingly to break up partnerships Ishant Sharma is being used as a stock bowler. If they continue to flog him his delicate physique will break down irreparably.

The Indian players are tired. They are playing too much cricket leading the burn out. 20/20 cricket will destroy them in the long run. Ishant started off really well but the amount of cricket he is playing and the adjustments he has to make for each format is difficult so early in his career. India need to select horses for courses and sideline a few players for the good of their game. Problem is that the BCCI is only thinking about money and not the long term future of the team and players.

guys i have a question...why the indian fast bowlers r losing their pace in time? ishant ,munaf,...............? can any one explain this phenomena for me ....

I wonder why Sreesanth is kept out of the Indian team, other than for indiscipline and Isant Sharma brought in. I am sure this errant youngster can perform better than Ishant at the moment. Sreesant performed well in the English league this season, I hear. I hope it is not the old politics of Indian cricket that keeps this lad away.