Indian pacer Ishant Sharma, who had fallen out of favour, reminisced about being appointed as a nightwatchman in the 2010 Test against Australia at Mohali. However, the 36-year-old, struggling with knee pain, pleaded with MS Dhoni to let Zaheer Khan take his place.
Sharma shared that Dhoni was initially insistent he bat, but eventually consented to his request. He recounted this to sports commentator Padamjeet Sehrawat on his YouTube channel.
“In that match, I was suffering from a knee ache. So I had taken injections. Every session, I took an injection. I was asked to go in as a nightwatchman. I told MS Dhoni, ‘My legs are hurting. Please send Zaheer Khan.’ He said, ‘No, you go and bat’. I said, ‘I don’t openly talk about it, but it is really hurting’ because I had taken injections and bowled as well. I had taken three wickets in the second innings as well. He then agreed”.
Ishant Sharma Recalls Intense Pre-Match Net Session With Gary Kirsten And Paddy Upton
The 2013 Champions Trophy winner also remembered that head coach Gary Kirsten urged him to practice batting in the nets before the match, with Kirsten and Paddy Upton bowling to him for an hour after the rest of the team had left.
“One day before the match, there was an optional practice session. I bowled a bit in the centre. The nets got over, and we were getting ready to leave. Gary (Kirsten) came to me and said, ‘Why don’t you come for a bat?’ I said, ‘Gary, I am tired. ‘”
“He said, ‘Pad up and come. ‘ The team bus had left, and everything was done. Gary Kirsten and Paddy Upton made me bat for an hour. Kirsten always said that runs from the lower order always help teams win matches. After making me bat for an hour, he said. ‘Now, I am satisfied. I don’t know about you.'” he said.
Ishant Sharma contributed a crucial 31 runs from 92 balls in the second innings, partnering with VVS Laxman to add 81 runs for the ninth wicket, paving the way for an exciting one-wicket win for the home team.
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