[caption id="attachment_41671" align="aligncenter" width="580"]Ishant Ishant Sharma during Kings XI Punjab's practice session at Eden Gardens. Image Source: Xtra Time[/caption] Kolkata: The current fast bowling unit has the potentiality to do well in all conditions across the world, feel Ishant Sharma. Echoing the same view as his bowling partner Umesh Yadav, Ishant feel the current crop of fast bowlers has come a long way. “The current bowling unit has done well in all conditions – on turning tracks and on bouncy wickets. We have tried to ensure that we keep running hard and hit the ball in the right length. Fortunately, all of us have responded to the captain whenever we have been given the ball,” said Ishant in a chat with xtratime.in correspondent Sabyasachi Bagchi. For many, including the India captain Virat Kohli, the current pace attack has the potentiality to do well and win in overseas conditions as well. With India slated to play South Africa later this year, India can pin hopes on the fast bowling unit. The Indian team has been going through a purple patch, winning series against Sri Lanka, West Indies, New Zealand, England and Australia. The good thing about this current Indian team is all the players has contributed to the team’s cause. “It has been a good series for me personally. If you remember we came back from 0-1 down to win the series against Sri Lanka. And the same thing happened against the Australians as well. We have been consistently playing well as a team since the series in Sri Lanka and that has helped us regaining the No.1 Test side in the world,” said Ishant Ishant, who was recently married, was not picked by any franchisees at the IPL auctions. The lanky fast bowler from Delhi was drafted in the Kings XI Punjab side by mentor and Ishant’s former teammate Virender Sehwag. Sharing his emotions, Ishant said, “As a player you have to be ready to face situations. Obviously it did hurt to see not getting picked by any franchise at the auction. But at the end of the day you should get ready for everything. As a cricketer I have moved on.” The hard fought series against Australia saw a lot of sledging from both sides. In fact Ishant’s gesture towards Australian captain Steve Smith went viral on social media. Asked to comment about aggression by a fast bowler, Ishant commented, “You always go out in the middle to play tough cricket. And the series against Australia was no different. We all know Aussies always play tough and come hard at their opponents. It was a sudden burst of emotions.” Ishant is in the same team with Glenn Maxwell, who also attracted a lot of criticism following his gesture in Ranchi. The fast bowler thought it wise enough to avoid taking any questions about Maxwell. On being asked that he is yet to be given a chance by Maxwell in the ongoing IPL season 10, Ishant gave a straight forward reply, “It’s the team management’s call whoever they feel like playing in the eleven.” Lastly, commenting on Virat’s rise as a cricketer, Ishant said, “He has matured both as a player and as a human being. His confidence level has taken a huge leap following his consistent performance over the years.”    

The current bowling unit is capable of doing well in all conditions: Ishant Sharma