Senior pro Ishant eyes World Cup berth, supports Dukes for all Tests

NEWDELHI: Ishant Sharma says his limited-overs career has suffered due to perception, though playing 90 Tests but only 80 ODIs can’t be put down to that. But the 30-yearold has produced memorable Test spells and is the leader of India’s potent pace pack, though not playing an ODI since January, 2016 leaves his World Cup chances weak.

But as he prepares to play for Delhi Capitals in their IPL campaign, Ishant is optimistic, especially due to his experience bowling in the UK, having done well in last year’s Tests and County games.

“Why not? There is always hope… I have the opportunity to do well in IPL, the Indian team is still looking for a fourth seamer. Hopefully, I am the fourth seamer,” Ishant, back in IPL after missing out last year, said in a media interaction organised by his IPL team on Saturday.

Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and all-rounders Hardik Pandya -- his Mumbai Indians showing will be key after injury – and Vijay Shankar are in the mix. But Ishant may just draw the selectors’ attention.

Perception is a problem though, he said. “I don’t know where this perception comes from – ‘he is only a T20 bowler or the tag heisonlyaTestorred-ballbowler. Whoever does well in red-ball cricket can do well in any format because that is the basic format.”

Ishant welcomed the MCC cricket committee’s recommendation at this month’s meeting in Bengaluru that one-brand ball must be used in Tests, and the upcoming ICC Test Championship would be a great time to start. England uses Dukes, Australia Kookaburra and India SG. Ishant backed Dukes – it consistently swings.

“Playing with Dukes ball, there is always something for the bowler. If you play with Kookaburra, there is no help in the wicket, batsmen are always dominating… If you had Dukes, even in India, at least there is something in it for the bowler.”