Xtra Time Web Desk: Delhi Capitals veteran pacer Ishant Sharma may perhaps bowled the best “knuckle ball” in the ongoing IPL season. Coming over the wicket to Gujarat Titans’ Vijay Shankar during the IPL 2023 match at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday, Ishant foxed the Tamil Nadu batter, inducing him to play a wrong line and miss the ball altogether. Former Proteas and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s fast bowling coach Dale Steyn couldn’t stop praising it, as he tweeted, “Okay, Ishant just bowled the best knuckle ball wicket I’ve ever seen!”
If that wasn’t enough, the 34-year-old saved the best for his last as he defended 12 runs in the final over against a rampaging Rahul Tewatia, who just hit three sixes in three balls of Anrich Nortje. Ishan gave away just 7 runs and also dismissed Tewatia with a slower delivery to pave the way for a 5-run win against the table toppers at the Narendra Modi stadium on Tuesday.
There were a few eyebrows raised when Delhi Capitals picked Ishant Sharma at the IPL 2023 mega auctions for INR 50 lakhs. Prior to missing the last two editions, Ishant has grabbed only 1 wicket from four matches in IPL 2020 & 2021. But the veteran fast bowler was ready to put in that extra yards at the pre-season camps of DC in Kolkata.
The 34-year-old made an impressive return for the Delhi Capitals after having missed the last two seasons. An experienced campaigner, the tall lanky pacer has played 97 matches in IPL so far since making his debut in the inaugural season in 2008. Ishant has already picked 6 wickets from 4 matches in ongoing season at an average of 15.17. As they say age is just a number and Ishant Sharma is proving just that with his performances.
Here is the video of Ishant Sharma’s wicket: