Ishant has flattered to deceive
Ishant Sharma's average of 81 and strike-rate of 131.2 on India's tour of Australia would have been more appropriate for a batsman, says G Unnikrishnan in the Deccan Herald
Dustin Silgardo
25-Feb-2013
Ishant Sharma's average of 81 and strike-rate of 131.2 on India's tour of Australia would have been more appropriate for a batsman, says G Unnikrishnan in the Deccan Herald. Unnikrishnan says Ishant has shown glimpses of promise, like during the tour of the West Indies in 2011, but has not sealed his role as the next leader of the Indian attack.
But one point is lost between all these arguments – the role of bowling coach Eric Simons. Before the arrival of the South African, Ishant has taken 54 wickets from 19 Tests at an average of 34.42 and his strike rate was 63.5. After the arrival of Simons (January 10, 2010), the right-arm pace bowler’s performance hasn’t touched the upward curve, grabbing 78 wickets from 25 Tests. Ishant’s average in this period has gone up to 39.11, and his strike rate too has touched 66.33.
Dustin Silgardo is a former sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo