Ishant Sharma almost quit ODIs after World T20 snub

Ishant Sharma revealed he thought about quitting ODIs after being dropped for World T20

Dropped after a prolonged poor run, Ishant Sharma contemplated quitting ODI cricket after he was not selected in the World T20 squad this year, but was discouraged from doing so by his mother.

Speaking at a Sunrisers Hyderabad function, Ishant said, “It was a setback for me when I did not do well for the country or when I was not selected. I think the one person who gave me confidence was my mother. At one stage, I thought I should stop playing ODIs. But my mother pulled me out of my negativities. Such support from your parents or friends gives you much-needed confidence. Now, I am enjoying my cricket, which is more important. If you enjoy your cricket and express yourself on the field, you will do well.”

Last year, Ishant bowled a match-turning over in Champions Trophy final, but was woefully out of form for the season after that. He took 2 wickets in 5 matches in West Indies, and was taken to cleaners in the home series against Australia, most memorably in Mohali where he leaked 30 runs in an over, handing Australia the match.

Despite some good spells with the red ball, he went wicketless in 4 ODIs in South Africa and New Zealand, and was dropped from the squad for Asia Cup and World T20.

But putting aside the disappointment, Ishant is all set for the upcoming IPL, ready to make a fresh start.

“You feel bad when you are not part of the T20 World Cup. It is a big tournament. But it is not in my hand. If I am playing Test cricket or wherever I am playing, I have to do well in those conditions and that particular format.

“I am looking forward to do well in the new season. I am bowling well. I am in good rhythm. I played in domestic Twenty20, bowled well, took some wickets. I am confident with my bowling and hopefully I will do well for the Sunrisers this time as well.”

Ishant’s time away from the national squad was spent playing for Delhi and North Zone in domestic limited overs tournaments, where he has found himself among wickets. In his last match for Delhi in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy, he took 4 wickets for just 9 runs, running through Haryana’s top and middle order.

Not retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 7, Ishant was later bought by the franchise in the player auctions for $400,000.

Last year, he formed a brilliant opening-ball partnership with Dale Steyn, helping his side reach the last four in the tournament.

“Dale gives his plans and we set fields accordingly. That helps a fast bowler. It feels really great. I have learnt a lot from him,” he said.

Ishant also praised Darren Sammy’s contribution to the team. “When he [Sammy] was not playing in the initial part last year, he was giving ideas to every member of the team. All these small things help the team do well. When we sit together, it’s not that we just laugh. We talk about cricket, about where we should improve.

Talking about the wickets in UAE, Ishant said he expects the wickets to be similar to the ones back home.

“I think the wicket will be the same. It does not matter whether you play in India or UAE, the wicket will be the same in Asia. You should know where you need to bowl in the T20 format. You don’t need to see how the wicket is going to behave. You just need to execute your plans well.

“I bowled well in South Africa and New Zealand and in the North Zone T20 tournament too. I am looking forward to doing well for Sunrisers in the IPL.”

India has a big tour of England coming up as India take a 5-Test tour in mid-2014, but Ishant is not aiming far and is looking to take one step at a time.

“I don’t set personal goals for myself. Because in doing so you end up putting pressure on yourself. In T20 cricket one needs to react according to the situation,” he said.