Former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie heaped rich praise on India’s comeback man Ishant Sharma for his attitude to want to learn, improve and get better is keeping him in good stead.
Ishant Sharma, who arrived in New Zealand 72 hours before the 1st Test after clearing a late fitness test, picked up his 11th five-wicket haul to help India bowl out the Kiwis for 348.
“Very happy to see Ishant do so well- all down to his attitude to want to learn, improve and get better. The current coaching staff of the @BCCI team need to take a lot of credit,” Gillespie said in a tweet.
Gillespie had earlier said that Sharma was eager to learn more about creating wicket-taking opportunities during his time at Sussex two years ago.
Ishant had said on Saturday said he didn’t even think about playing the Test match, when he had sustained a freak injury.
“All credit goes to the NCA support staff. They worked really hard with me. The Big thing was, we never really have to come and play a Test match. My MRI showed I had a complete tear, ligament tear, not one but two. I was expected to be out for 6 weeks. I just wanted to carry on with my rehab. Nothing was playing on my mind… I did not think about playing the New Zealand Tests.
“I just told myself ‘if it happens, well and good. Otherwise, I cannot do anything about it’. Even in the bathroom, you can slip and get injured.
“Before I came here, I tested myself. I bowled 21 overs in 2 days in Bengaluru. And then I came here. I again bowled 1 and half hours in the nets to check if I am match fit. Because after traveling for almost 24 hours, it was a big toll on the body.”
