Ishant Sharma reveals his only aim this year: Details here
Indian pacer Ishant Sharma has been enjoying the most memorable IPL season of his career so far, as his team Delhi Capitals won the first knock-out game in the history of the tournament. Ahead of their knock-out tie against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which they won on Wednesday, Ishant gave an exclusive interview to ESPNCricinfo, where he revealed his only aim this year. Here is more.
Ishant's only aim is to win IPL 2019
Speaking on his only aim as of now, Ishant candidly said that it is to win the IPL this year. Moreover, Ishant sounded confident as he said, "I'm pretty sure we will win. I don't know why, but I have that belief." If Delhi manage to pocket the league this year, it would be their maiden IPL title win.
"I just want to win games for my team"
"I am not someone who thinks that much like yeh kya hain, woh kya hain. Woh sab [What is this, or that]. I just want to win games for my team. My main motto is to win the IPL trophy," Ishant added further.
Ishant claims he didn't watch the 2019 auction
About his reaction on being picked by Delhi Capitals, Ishant claimed that he did not watch the auction this term as he was focusing on the Perth Test against Australia. "We were talking about the Perth Test when I got a call from the BCCI congratulating me for being picked by the Capitals," Ishant claimed this is how he got to know.
Don't focus on stats and figures, asserts Ishant
Talking about how he analyzes his stats, Ishant came up with an astonishing reply, stating that he hardly discusses stats with his analyst. Instead, he claims that he focuses on getting his basics right. "For me, I am expressing myself. I am doing what I can do best. End of the day, what matters to me is how I look at myself," said Ishant.
"Have got fantastic support from the management"
"I get to bowl 18 balls in the power-play, but I have got fantastic support from the management even if I have not taken too many wickets. Also, having KG at the other end was a big boost for me," he said about his campaign.
Ishant knows his death bowling has improved
Speaking on his death bowling, Ishant said that almost every bowler in the IPL has gone for runs at the death. However, he claimed that he has an economy of eight currently during death, which is way better than his past performance. "Yes, in the past I did go for runs. You have to see what I'm doing right now," he said.
Ishant working hard on knuckleball of late
"Right now I am just getting up and hitting the length whenever I want. Touch wood. But holding that ball till the last moment, changing your grip, these are things I need to work on," Ishant stated on his knuckleball training.
Will back my strengths: Ishant
About his mindset on bowling the best batsman in the power-play, Ishant claimed that he focuses on building pressure ball by ball, and does not mind getting hit. "I will back my strengths - whether it is a yorker, length ball, knuckleball. With the knuckleball, due to my height, I get bounce but the ball also comes slow," concluded Ishant.
