NZ vs India: Ishant Sharma is underrated, feels Scott Styris
Former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris feels Indian pacer Ishant Sharma doesn't get the respect he deserves. The senior pacer, who has been leading the Indian attack in Tests for a long time now, was terrific on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington. This is what Styris said about the right-arm pacer.
Ishant stands out with three scalps on Day 2
On a day when the Indian pacers weren't that consistent with their approach, Ishant stood out and claimed three wickets. The track settled down to help the Kiwis but Ishant showed his true class. He got the wickets of Tom Latham, Tom Blundell and Ross Taylor. The most prized scalp was that of Taylor (44), who added a 93-run stand alongside Kane Williamson (89).
'He perhaps doesn't get the respect he deserves'
"He perhaps doesn't get the respect he deserves. Those are phenomenal numbers. He is a terrific performer. His ability to consistently bowl at one area is great. He is right in the face of the batsmen and you can see the rewards are slowly coming," said Scott Styris on the post-match show on Star Sports.
India have work to do in the first Test
Ishant's efforts saw India stay in the hunt. The visitors were bowled out for 165, before New Zealand ended Day 2 at 216/5. They have a 51-run lead. For India to keep the Kiwis at bay and not let the lead get to triple digits, the onus will be on the pacers to bowl well in the first session of Day 3.
Ishant now has 295 career Test scalps
"We have confidence that we can make a comeback. That has been the speciality of this team," Ishant said on Saturday after the end of the day's play at the Basin Reserve. The senior fast bowler now has 295 career Test scalps at 32.46. Ishant, who is playing his 97th Test, will be aiming to register his 11th five-wicket haul.
