Ishant Sharma tipped to reach 500 Test wickets after joining elite group of India quicks

NICK HOWSON: Ravichandran Ashwin hails the third Indian seamer to reach 300 scalps in international red-ball cricket

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If India do indeed slump to defeat in the first Test in Chennai, it certainly won't have been for nothing. Following on from Rishabh Pant's fireworks, it was a day to celebrate for Ishant Sharma, who belatedly became the third seamer to reach 300 wickets in the longest format for his country.

The 32-year-old might have Jasprit Bumrah, James Anderson and Jofra Archer for company but there is little doubt he has been the outstanding quick of the match. His combined figures of 34-8-76-3 will not be highlights of his glorious career but they tell a tale of perseverance and skill.

They are fitting words with which to describe Sharma, whose route to this point has been anything but routine. Across his 98 Tests, there have been injuries, surgeries, loss of form, peaks, troughs, doubts and setbacks.

That only Zaheer Khan and Kapil Dev have previously reached the landmark is testament to his graft over the years and a desire to never give in. 

Sharma produced the ball of the England second innings to pin Dan Lawrence, a full delivery which did a little both in the air and off a docile pitch to beat the Essex batsman and wrap him on the pads. With England so far ahead he looked almost embarrassed but it is a moment that should not be underplayed.

"Quite a rollercoaster life so far," he said via an interview on the world feed. "A lot of experiences, I've learned a lot about how to bowl in the subcontinent, and what lengths to bowl when we go abroad.

"Feeling a bit sore, just played four-over T20 games in domestic, and came back and straightaway bowled 35 overs. First two days it felt like we were playing on the road, but on the fourth day it started turning a bit and we caught a bit of a break. Even on the first two days I thought we bowled well even though we weren't getting much help."

Though Sharma's career, during which he can call Alastair Cook, Ricky Ponting, AB de Villiers and Mahela Jayawardene among his victims, is evidence that Test cricket provides no givens, he is already been tipped to set more records.

^{Ashwin claimed six wickets on day four as India clung on}

Khan is just 11 scalps away and while Kapil's 434 looks formidable, Ravichandran Ashwin believes the 500 mark is even obtainable.

"Ishant is one of hardest working cricketers I've seen," the spinner, who claimed 6-61 on day four, admitted. "He has worked extremely hard for more than just one reason. Being that tall it requires a lot of assets to manage through a career. 

"From the Ishant who went to Australia and got Ricky Ponting (Perth, January 2008) out has gone through so many other tours. 

"He's had his fair share of injuries so get close to 100 Tests for India is not a joke, it is a fantastic achievement. Three hundred club he is the third Indian fast-bowler to get there. 

"I could keep going on and keep complimenting him but I wish to see him get to 400 and probably 500 and he should be a roadmap for a lot of Indian quicks going forward."

Images courtesy of BCCI

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