“I do not play for numbers”: Ishant Sharma ahead of 100 tests milestone

Ishant Sharma is expected to play his 100th test match against England at Motera stadium. Image: Xtra Time

Xtra Time Web Desk: India pacer Ishant Sharma on Monday said his biggest motivation is to win matches for the country. Ishant, who is expected to play his 100th test at Motera stadium against England starting Thursday do not seemed bothered with milestones.

“I have always had this motivation in making the team win, till the day I play. It will never change until the day I hang my shoes. Personal milestones can be there, when you are about to leave your career you can see these milestones. But these are just numbers for me, I do not play for numbers, I just play to win,” said Ishant while virtually talking to the journalists

The 32-year-old has become an integral part of India’s Test team over the years, and he will be expected to be one of the key figures for the Indian team in the upcoming pink-ball Test where the fast bowlers are likely to get assistance from the surface.

A career spanning almost 14 years, Ishant has witnessed quite a lot of ups and downs. To be nearing the milestone of 100 tests in only 32 years speaks a lot about his dedication and hard work. The lanky pacer attributed his success to former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan.

“I cannot say about that one thing that took my graph or brought it down. Obviously, it feels great to be playing 100 Tests, I learn a lot from Zaheer Khan, I learnt from his work ethic. I have told everyone playing in the team that if you keep on working on your fitness, the rewards will come,” he added.

“When I went to Australia in 2007-08 in Australia, I was just a youngster and I was just focusing on bowling. I did not think much, as we bowl in domestic cricket, I just followed the same.

“Over the years, I learnt by being in different situations. I have always had this motive in making the team win, till the day I play, I will play with the same motive. Personal milestones can be there, when you are about to leave your career you can see these milestones. But these are just numbers for me, I do not play for numbers, I just play to win,” he added.

On being asked if he had managed to reach the milestone earlier as he have to concentrate playing one format of the game, Ishant said, “I do not think that if I played all three formats, I wouldn’t have played 100 Tests. I would have achieved the feat a bit late, but I would have played 100 Tests,” he added.

Finally the experienced fast bowler preferred not to single out a particular captain he played under.

“I am looking after myself, everything has paid off for me nicely. It is tough to say which captain understood me the best. It is not about the captain understanding me but it is the other way around. It is important to know what the captain wants from me, when this communication is done, it makes things a lot easier,” he signed off.