Ishant Sharma

The rhythm bowler who reached 300 Test wickets and earned the nation's highest sports honors.

Ishant Sharma is an Indian cricketer born on September 2, 1988, who has represented India in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Standing 6 ft 4 in tall, he operates as a right-arm fast-medium bowler known for prioritizing accuracy while still capable of bowling in excess of 150 km/h. In 2011, he achieved the distinction of becoming the fifth youngest player to take 100 Test wickets. While often labeled a 'rhythm' bowler, his pace has occasionally reached over 152 km/h, as seen in 2008. His career highlights include winning the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy and receiving the Arjuna Award from the Indian government in 2020 for his outstanding achievements.

Quick Facts

Country: India
Nickname: Lambu
Born: 2 September 1988
Birthplace: Delhi, India
Height: 6 ft 4 in / 1.93 m
Batting: Right-handed
Bowling: Right-arm fast-medium
Role: Bowler

Lore & Background

Sharma's domestic roots lie with Delhi, where he played first-class cricket. In just 14 matches, he claimed 68 wickets, including a notable five-wicket haul against Baroda on the opening day of a drawn match. His international journey began tentatively; after being called up for the 2006-07 South Africa tour at age 18, he was deselected before traveling. He finally debuted in May 2007 against Bangladesh as a replacement for Munaf Patel, bowling three overs without taking a wicket. A breakthrough came during Pakistan's tour of India in December 2007; with frontline pacers Zaheer Khan, RP Singh, and Sreesanth injured, Sharma was recalled for the third Test in Bangalore, where he took 5 wickets. This performance earned him a spot on the subsequent Australia tour.

Reader's Guide

Sharma's career is defined by resilience and statistical milestones. In the following match, he took three wickets to equal Kapil Dev's record for most wickets by an Indian bowler in England, finishing that series with 18 wickets as the second-highest taker. His milestone 300th Test wicket arrived in February 2021 against England at Motera Stadium, making him one of India's greatest pacers. He also reached 100 Test matches in that same series, becoming only the fourth Indian bowler to do so, with Kapil Dev being the only other fast bowler on that list. In ODIs, he faced challenges, including conceding 30 runs in a single over against Australia in 2013, equalling Yuvraj Singh's record for the most expensive over by an Indian. His domestic IPL journey began in 2008 when Kolkata Knight Riders bought him for $950,000, the highest bid for any bowler at the time.

Did You Know?

In August 2018, he equaled Kapil Dev's record for the most wickets taken by an Indian bowler in England.
Sharma hit his first half-century in Test cricket batting at number nine against West Indies in August 2019.