Over the past 8-10 years, Indian cricket has witnessed a remarkable evolution in fast bowling, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge. Bumrah’s entry into Test cricket significantly strengthened Team India. Alongside stars like Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma played a vital role in bolstering the Indian bowling attack by providing experience and expertise. The tall Indian pacer made a strong start in international cricket, and after years of experience, he infused new life into India’s bowling unit. As Ishant prepares to turn 37 on September 2nd, his career stands out as much as his childhood.
Ishant Sharma originates from West Delhi, a wellspring of talent in Indian cricket. This region has produced cricket legends like Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan. Ishant is among them, having secured a place in Team India. Like other cricketers, Ishant was raised in a middle-class household, but through his determination, he overcame the challenges of domestic cricket to make a mark in international cricket.
Fans are generally familiar with Ishant Sharma’s cricketing achievements, yet his childhood experiences are less known. He too faced parental discipline, which is common in Indian families to ensure children focus on their studies or sports. As a child, Ishant also experienced beatings from his father. In an interview, Ishant recounted a funny story about being severely punished by his father.
In an interview on Cricbuzz, Ishant, along with his wife Pratima and his parents, recalled a time when he was beaten without any apparent reason. Ishant described how, upon entering the house, his father began beating him with a stick for no clear cause. Not only Ishant, but his sister also received the same treatment. Ishant’s father was surprised and denied any knowledge of the event. He suggested that Ishant must have done something to warrant the punishment. Even now, Ishant is unsure why he was beaten.
However, Ishant’s family was instrumental in his journey to becoming a cricketer. His father mentioned that he himself was passionate about cricket during his childhood and was recognized as one of the quickest bowlers in his neighborhood. This undoubtedly influenced Ishant’s path to becoming a fast bowler. Turning to Ishant’s career, he made his international debut in Test cricket in 2007 and gradually gained a foothold in all three formats. For Team India, Ishant has taken 311 wickets in 105 Test matches, 115 wickets in 80 ODIs, and 8 wickets in 14 T20s.
