What if I say Ishant Sharma is no less than Zaheer Khan and he may even end up as a fast bowling legend from the country?
For a moment, I myself wouldn't agree on that, for the number of matches Zak has won for the country. Goodness me, how can one compare Zak with Ishant Sharma? But when I started looking at the numbers, it told me an entirely different story. Zaheer has played 92 test matches out of which we will consider his first 68 to compare with the number of matches Ishant has played.
When we look at the overall record there doesn't seem to be much of a difference, but we got to admit that Zaheer's record is marginally better than that of Ishant.
Career stats Mat Inn Overs Mdns Wkts Runs Avg Eco
I Sharma 69 121 2260.3 438 202 7464 36.95 3.30
Z Khan 68 124 2264.2 458 220 7472 33.96 3.29
The record at home is also very much similar and Ishant might just have got the better of Zak. His average and economy are marginally better.
At home Mat Inn Overs Mdns Wkts Runs Avg Eco
I Sharma 25 45 748.1 168 63 2190 34.72 2.92
Z Khan 27 51 867 180 71 2692 37.91 3.10
Their numbers during the away matches prove that Zaheer was far better. But we should also consider that Ishant has been a part of few tours where the batting unit just didn't click. The away tours of 2011-2012 to England and Australia and the same in 2014-2015. The 2015 tour of Australia was on much flatter wickets where both the teams plundered runs. It was one of the high scoring series that has ever happened in Australia.
Away matches Mat Inn Overs Mdns Wkts Runs Avg Eco
I Sharma 43 74 1488 261 138 5277 37.87 3.51
Z Khan 41 73 1397 278 149 4780 32.08 3.42
The most surprising of all stats is that the their numbers in won matches doesn't have much of a difference. Considering this, it is possible to say that Ishant Sharma is as good a match winner as Zaheer Khan.
Won matches Mat Inn Overs Mdns Wkts Runs Avg Eco
I Sharma 27 54 806 178 91 2451 26.93 3.03
Z Khan 26 51 774 177 95 2405 25.31 3.0
This comparison was not to prove that Ishant is equal to or better than Zak. With all due to respect to both the professionals, this is just an illustration to those people, who I feel is more critical on Ishant than what he actually deserve.
Coming from a country like India where batsmen are idolized most of the time, becoming a fast bowler itself is an uphill task. When we see an young fast bowler running in like Ishant did in 2007, we expect them to become like a Dale Steyn or Jimmy Anderson of India. But what do we provide them when our fast bowlers play at home? Dust bowls, track which turn square on day one. Most occasions, our fast bowlers end up doing "holding the one end" job at home.
Our strength lies in our batting and it is something we have to admit. In the past twenty years whenever our batsmen have done well on tough pitches, we have won those games. Headingly in 2002, Perth 2007, Lord's 2014 etc.
Our bowlers have always got better with experience. And that is how it works for us. Kapil Dev is the leading wicket taker for India as a fast bowler. And below him are Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath followed by Ishant Sharma. Both Kapil Dev and Srinath played in an era where the pitches where more bowler friendly than it is now. With all due respect to them, it would be fair only if the current generation Indian fast bowlers are left alone and not compared to the legends from past.
It is actually more disheartening to see Ishant Sharma being made fun of, even when he takes wickets. To be a fast bowler and representing India for 8 longs years is something not many have done. We have seen a bunch of fast bowlers coming in and vanishing as a flash in the pan. We have to respect players for what they have done and leave alone the things that they have not. It is up to the players to do something about what they have not done. After all, that is what they play for !!!
Great article. This information is impressive.Totosite
ReplyDelete