India vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test: top 5 performers 

Ishant Sharma

The Delhi lad impressed everybody with his bowling performance in the match at Nagpur. He perfectly utilised the help provided by the pitch to the pace bowlers and struck key wickets in crucial time.

Sharma was not included in the playing XI of the Kolkata Test, and was asked by the team management to play for his Ranji team Delhi, where he performed exceptionally well.

Here, in the absence of strike bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he got the opportunity to play the Nagpur Test and he proved himself well.

In the first innings, he took the wickets of both the Sri Lankan openers Sadeera Samarawickarma and Dimuth Karunaratne, and troubled the other SL batsman with his pace and bounce. He ended with figures of 3 wickets for 37 runs in 14 overs.

The story was same in the second innings, as he dismissed Samarawickrama in the second ball of the innings with the help of an in swinger. He also took the wicket of Niroshan Dickwella, the batsman with an ability to score runs quickly, and ensured India’s victory in the match.

Sharma gained a lot of appreciation for his performance in the match, and has justified his place in the Indian Test team.