“I am in that phase of my career where I am enjoying my cricket and more I enjoy, better it is”: Ishant Sharma

He has been phenomenal within the previous couple of years and India pacer Ishant Sharma simply believes that it’s to try to with him “enjoying his cricket”.

The 31-year-old, who is India’s senior-most cricketer within the current set-up with 97 Tests, said that he wouldn’t probably wish to sledge Steve Smith during subsequent tour of Australia, unlike the 2017 home series game in Bengaluru where his countenance became a meme.

“I am therein phase of my career where i’m enjoying my cricket and more I enjoy, better it’s . i will be able to take more wickets and win matches for the team unless you guys want to impress me and obtain me banned,” Ishant, known for his dry sense of humour, said.

He was chatting with teammate Mayank Agarwal during a podcast, ‘Open Nets with Mayank’, and aired by bcci.tv.

When Agarwal asked about his now-famous facial expression to the previous Australian captain, the senior speedster said that the only aim was to upset Smith’s rhythm.

“I was trying to upset Steve Smith’s rhythm. We knew if we could get that wicket, we might have a far better chance of winning. Virat doesn’t mind aggression. he’s an aggressive captain and only thing he will tell is ‘just get me the wicket but confirm you do not get banned’.

Ishant, who was a neighbourhood of the pace quartet during the 2018-19 historic series win in Australia, still cherishes the feat.

“I are on for tours to Australia (since 2007-08) and that I skills tough it’s . Having heard of these years that we do not win in Australia, you’ve got that eagerness and urge to win.”

A dogged tail-ender, Ishant got his maiden Test fifty in Kingston last year and by his own admission, he never let opener KL Rahul forget his feat.

Agarwal cheekily asked him, “You have taken batting seriously?” Pat came the reply, “Because of you guys. You guys poke me such a lot that i assumed i might rather kill than hear you people.”