Ishant Sharma: "I want to bowl at 100MPH"

90MPH

Test Debutant
Joined
Feb 28, 2009
Runs
13,868
'I STILL WANT TO TOUCH 100MPH'

Ishant Sharma Interviewed by G.S. Vivek of The Indian Express on Sunday, September 06, 2009

In an interview to The Indian Express, the lanky Indian seamer speaks about his burning ambition to touch the 100 mph mark, his new role as the first-change bowler and improving his economy rate.
Ishant Sharma runs in and bangs it short to team mate Virat Kohli during the nets. On Saturday, playing for ONGC in the in the semi-final of the BCCI's Corporate trophy, he will test Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa with the shorter delivery.

In an interview to The Indian Express, the lanky Indian seamer speaks about his burning ambition to touch the 100 mph mark, his new role as the first-change bowler and improving his economy rate.

Considering there will be non-stop cricket coming up, how did you spend the off-season?

I was training regularly throughout and I am in prime fitness now. I was at the nets with my coach back in Delhi when others were resting, the idea was to ensure my stock deliveries are intact while I gain confidence to bowl more variations. I also had a good four-day session with Team India and the matches in Corporate Trophy will help me build up for the Sri Lanka tri-series and the Champions Trophy.

You are being prepared to be the first-change bowler in ODIs. How are you responding to the new task?

I have bowled first change before, so it's not new to me but yes, bowling first change is difficult. With the new ball, there's swing as well as bounce off the wicket but when you bowl first change there's just bounce and it gets easier for the batsman. But since I have the height advantage, I can extract bounce off the wicket and am confident of doing justice to my role in the team. The ball gets a bit softer too but I am hoping that I can be as effective as I am with the new ball.

After you bowled the fastest delivery by an Indian, you spoke of touching the 100mph mark. Is that still a target?

No my idea hasn't changed at all; instead, I am eager to bowl quicker and quicker. I still want to touch 100mph, that's my ambition and there's no getting away from it. I can't tell you when exactly I will breach the barrier; for a bowler it depends on various factors. I am a rhythm bowler, and if you are in good rhythm then forcing the pace is easy. Right now I am feeling good about my bowling, I am a lot sharper and I will be getting quicker this season.

You used the yorker to good effect in domestic matches but not at the international level. Why?

I am trying to work on death bowling, try and bowl more slower ones and yorkers. And since I have to bowl in the powerplay as first change, the yorker is an absolute must. The problem with bowling a yorker is the margin of error is huge, but I have worked hard on developing the yorker and will use it more this coming season.

Despite your attacking role, your economy rate has been a worry.

I know I have to work on my economy rate. When you are playing one-dayers, one has to keep watch on it. With the semi-new ball, the first job is to control the runs, and then if the situation demands I can go into the attacking mode.

What is your goal for this season?

I want to have a year as impactful as my debut season. I am eager to make up for an ordinary last season.

http://cricket.yahoo.com/cricket/interview/interview?post_id=115&title='I%20still%20want%20to%20touch%20100mph'
 
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How about bowling 90MPH consistently before he even thinks about 100mph.
 
I know its Ramadan and also I dont dislike his bowling but I cant help but recall the following line from a song(which is Indian,I think)

"Khwaab dekhe jhoote moote" (and the other half of the sentence is irrelevant to the topic so leave that out).

:P
 
This could turn into a Sehwag 'I will score 200' moment - ripped apart by PPers for years to come...
 
The man... the Sharma... Ishanth Sharma... the fastest bowler ever...

I just gave it a try... oh man that's sounds damn boring. :(
 
Afridi_Fan said:
Did I tell anyone, I want to fly?

Nahi,but its entirely possible for you to do it.You can beat the laws of physics,fly,race with planes and helis,beat them and sleep on clouds.

Ofcourse you can dream!.Just like Ishant!:D
 
Ha...Did Ishant interact with any Pakistanis of late? Why this obsession with the 100mph suddenly? ;-)

He needs to concentrate on taking wickets ATM. 100 milers dont give you wickets :))
 
dani2k said:
Ha...Did Ishant interact with any Pakistanis of late? Why this obsession with the 100mph suddenly? ;-)

He needs to concentrate on taking wickets ATM. 100 milers dont give you wickets :))
Wanna start comparisons with Lee/Akhtar vs Sharma?
 
With his height and high centre of gravity, he won't. I suggest he doesn't even try if he wants to avoid permanent injury.
 
sakss said:
sharma vs :yk (as a bowler) would be a better comparison
2009: Test Matches

I Sharma: 8 Wickets at 41.75. Economy: 3.54 SR: 70.7

Y Khan : 5 Wickets at 27.60. Economy: 3.45 SR: 48.0


I'd have to give it to Younus Khan. Any suggestions for a better comparison?>
 
Oh my gosh... this guy is bowling at 130 MPH at the moment in R. Premadasa ground... this is a miracle. You little youngster beauty... oh no that's KPH not MPH... sorry!!! :younis
 
Oxy said:
This could turn into a Sehwag 'I will score 200' moment - ripped apart by PPers for years to come...


No correction:

Sehwag: 'Yes it is possible to score 200 if I stay in the wicket for 50 overs as there are teams like UAE participating the tournament" That tournament was held in Sri Lanka.

What did PakPassioners do ? see below

"Sehwag; I will score a 200 in ODI.
 
I want to him bowl 85 Miles/hour and take plenty of wickets for India, rather than bowl 100 Miles/hour like the pakistanis and get thrashed... How many matches did Mr. Shoib Akthar has won for you bowling fast? How long he lasted?
 
Blitz said:
Wanna start comparisons with Lee/Akhtar vs Sharma?

Ah don't bother. I know for a fact the difference in speeds and I know for a fact that Lee/Akthars 100 mphs didnt earn them wickets!
 
indiancricketer said:
I want to him bowl 85 Miles/hour and take plenty of wickets for India, rather than bowl 100 Miles/hour like the pakistanis and get thrashed... How many matches did Mr. Shoib Akthar has won for you bowling fast? How long he lasted?

Why are you getting so emotional?...
Why bring Akhtar here?...Seriously!...Its all so funny and we're all cracking jokes!
Even dani2k(an INDIAN) finds the comment by Ishant funny.

And Brett Lee is also as fast as Akhtar.Why didnt you bring his name here?Bashing Pakistanis just for making fun of Ishant's humorous 'AIM"?

Seriously,if we got the fastest bowler in the world in our team and you dont,you dont need to get all so emotional!

Trolling threads,eh?
 
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dani2k said:
Ah don't bother. I know for a fact the difference in speeds and I know for a fact that Lee/Akthars 100 mphs didnt earn them wickets!

Perhaps you should say that to Ishant.:P
He is all for hitting 100mph.
 
I will..if I could get his contact details :) He doesnt blog I think!
 
indiancricketer said:
I want to him bowl 85 Miles/hour and take plenty of wickets for India, rather than bowl 100 Miles/hour like the pakistanis and get thrashed... How many matches did Mr. Shoib Akthar has won for you bowling fast? How long he lasted?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAA an indian fan putting in his argument as "so how many pakistani bowlers won you matches by bowling FAST" seriously, denial at its best. One lanky fast bowler of your own and you forget the imrans the wasims the waqars!lolllllllllllll! infact your right, our bowlers throughout the decades were fools to try to be fast, i mean seriously were wasim waqar and imran succesful? Now say mohanty, kuruvilla, prasad and harvinder singh. Ah now THATS the right way to bowl.

You can take shots at shoaib akhtar for being ill disciplined and overobsessed with pace, but the next time you wanna take a shot at pace and pakistani fast bowlers you might wanna think again.

And by the way, specifically about Shoaib Akhtar, he didnt take enough wickets in his career,and didnt stay fit, agreed, but to pretend he was a bowler who just tried to bowl fast and got thrashed is ridiculous. When the guy did play he WAS fast and pace DID get him wickets. so stop twisting the picture eh?

And you know, with shoaib akhtar after all the injuries, the scandals, the controversy, the unfulfilled potential, the short career,the massive problems to the team......that delivery where he silenced calcutta. it was worth it, it was damn worth it.

now you might say how can one delivery be worth all the other blah blah, how can you even afford to say one ball was worth it, heres why, coz its pakistan, and we dont have to wait a millenia for another real fast bowler to pop up.
 
indiancricketer said:
I want to him bowl 85 Miles/hour and take plenty of wickets for India, rather than bowl 100 Miles/hour like the "Pakistanis" and get thrashed...
First of all its not only pakistanis, there are other countries who are producing fast bolwers who can bowl 100mph and just because we can bowl 100 mph and u veggies can't, u gona hate on us...come on now!!!
 
Rizwan25 said:
First of all its not only pakistanis, there are other countries who are producing fast bolwers who can bowl 100mph and just because we can bowl 100 mph and u veggies can't, u gona hate on us...come on now!!!

Ahah...you shot yourselves in the foot mate! I am sure the mods would be interested in this comment. Better change it before they do..
 
Imran, Wasim and Waqar are all time greats. no doubt about that. They never tried to bowl 100 Miles/Hour. Pakistan always had better fast bowlers than India. But dont hype about bowling super fast. I think Australians and South Africans have better fast bowlers than pakistan. Why ? because they use their brains!. You just hype about bowling fast. Your guys wanna compare newbie M. Aamir with great wasim akram! India is improving on its fast bowling department very well.
 
The guy says He wish to Bowl 100 MPH, Genuine wish or Goal for any aspiring world class bowler. He wishes to raise his bar ... no qualms

Can he could bowl or not thats different Matter. I really don't understand what on earth some are raising alarm here. Give it a rest guys

Is 100 Mph Phaast Bowler patented for pakistani Players Only?
 
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Well I don't think Sharma fine bowler he may be is capable of that unless he spends 18 months in the gym and changes his action.
I'm new to this site and the Pak / India rivalry thing has me intrigued. I'm not taking the pisss, but can anyone explain how calling someone a veggie is insulting?
 
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He didnt even touch 85 today I think.
They showed that his fastest was 83.2 of something like that.
 
indiacricketer said:
But dont hype about bowling super fast
How hypocritical!
We were never like "ooh we've got fast bowlers and you dont..nanana"
We were poking fun at Ishant's comment.Kay?
And you were hyping about bowling fast!

indiacricketer said:
because they use their brains!. You just hype about bowling fast.
I think the argument just lost its meaning

indiacricketer said:
Your guys wanna compare newbie M. Aamir with great wasim akram!
A "newbie" with a great potential!
Also,we arent COMPARING him.
Even Aamir himself said,"Unse(Akram) behtar toh nahi ban sakta magar unki tarha banne ki koshish karoonga"

indiacricketer said:
India is improving on its fast bowling department very well.
:)) :))
Congrats! :37:
 
Anyone knows how has he done against Pak team? He should be able to draw some bounce in SA and trouble batsman from Pak and SL.

My advise to Ishant, eat beef and hit the gym. You will be better off bowling 90+ and swing the ball than 100+.
 
boycott_IPL said:
Well I don't think Sharma fine bowler he may be is capable of that unless he spends 18 months in the gym and changes his action.
I'm new to this site and the Pak / India rivalry thing has me intrigued. I'm not taking the pisss, but can anyone explain how calling someone a veggie is insulting?

Welcome to PP mate (Nice nick!).

I don't find it insulting as I personally am not a vegetarian (can't survive long without some Non veg for long :) ).

But calling somebody else names as per his/her food preference /belief system is not accepted here. I have seen such cases earlier where the mods have acted likewise by deleting posts and warning the concerned poster.
 
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And yeah to all PPers who stereotype Indians as vegetarians...pls don't! I myself am a strict non vegetarian :))
 
dani2k said:
Welcome to PP mate (Nice nick!).

I don't find it insulting as I personally am not a vegetarian (can't survive long without some Non veg for long :) ).

But calling somebody else names as per his/her food preference /belief system is not accepted here. I have seen such cases earlier where the mods have acted likewise by deleting posts and warning the concerned poster.

I agree with you!
Calling someone with other name is not in good spirit. We must refrain that and let every thing be in good humour or atleast good faith.
 
boycott_IPL said:
I'm new to this site and the Pak / India rivalry thing has me intrigued. I'm not taking the pisss, but can anyone explain how calling someone a veggie is insulting?
Eating ghosht gives you takat.

Indians [generic] dont eat meat, thus are physically weaker [generic] and is why they have never produced an express fast bowler [absolute].
 
Ghoshtbuster said:
Eating ghosht gives you takat.

Indians [generic] dont eat meat, thus are physically weaker [generic] and is why they have never produced an express fast bowler [absolute].

:)) :))
 
indiancricketer said:
I want to him bowl 85 Miles/hour and take plenty of wickets for India, rather than bowl 100 Miles/hour like the pakistanis and get thrashed... How many matches did Mr. Shoib Akthar has won for you bowling fast? How long he lasted?

shoaib akhtar may not have lasted as long as people wanted, or even he wanted, and he did have a lot of other off field issues.....but the no one can say he didnt win matches.....this guy won more matches for pakistan than any indian bowler has ever won for his country......and he hasnt even played 150 odi's.......id like to see ishant win half as many matches as shoaib in his entire careercareer
 
Ghoshtbuster said:
Eating ghosht gives you takat.

Indians [generic] dont eat meat, thus are physically weaker [generic] and is why they have never produced an express fast bowler [absolute].

:))) :)))


and for the topic. i believe i can fly...
 
India's fastest EVER bowler (Anil Kumble) barely ever touched 80mph, how’s he gonna get 100??
 
Guys I think he may have seen ATUL SHARMA in the nets and aspires to reach his lightening speeds.

VVS Laxman is now startled before the ball is even bowled because of India's speed options. :akhtar
 
Sharma's speeds have dropped. Mostly he operates at 135-139 km/hr. He is definately not the bowler who will continue to bowl in the high 140's if he plays a lot of games on the trot. That is something which differentiates the likes of Lee, Akhtar, Johnson, Steyn e.t.c.
 
Savak said:
Sharma's speeds have dropped. Mostly he operates at 135-139 km/hr. He is definately not the bowler who will continue to bowl in the high 140's if he plays a lot of games on the trot. That is something which differentiates the likes of Lee, Akhtar, Johnson, Steyn e.t.c.

Lee is different to all of them. He consistently bowls 90+ mph every ball. The rest bowl occasional balls in an over or only 1 spell at 90+mph.
 
I think that she requires a sex change before she even come close to the 80 kph mark
 
Is he that "Super Duper Fast Bowler"?

Well, if his test figures are worse than a part time bowler Younis Khan, he should be thinking of retirement
 
When he was in Australia, he touched 95mph, when he came to england he was touching 82 mph. I dont understand wth happend!
 
hes hit 95mph, so good luck i mean brett lee was at his fastest when he was 26 shoaib akhtar was older.
 
I saw him today against NZ and he was barely touchin 82 MPH! I think 100 is just too much for him. He should take it one step at a time, 85,90,95 then maybe if he can achieve those he can target 100! Slow and steady wins the race....
 
Ghoshtbuster said:
Eating ghosht gives you takat.

Indians [generic] dont eat meat, thus are physically weaker [generic] and is why they have never produced an express fast bowler [absolute].

Not only does your post border on the racist, its factually incorrect as well. Almost 65% of Indians are non-veg and over the course of history, most Indian cricketers, including bowlers were non-veg eaters
 
this lanky baby is ambitious

bowls at 135

dreaming for 160
 
indiancricketer said:
I want to him bowl 85 Miles/hour and take plenty of wickets for India, rather than bowl 100 Miles/hour like the pakistanis and get thrashed... How many matches did Mr. Shoib Akthar has won for you bowling fast? How long he lasted?

lmfao! shoaib akhtar is about 10 times better bowler than ishanth sharma :))
 
iHammad said:
I saw him today against NZ and he was barely touchin 82 MPH! I think 100 is just too much for him. He should take it one step at a time, 85,90,95 then maybe if he can achieve those he can target 100! Slow and steady wins the race....

I think he may have ambitions of just bowling one ball in international cricket at 100mph and thats it.

But look at what that did to :akhtar .
 
abay baba ! my indian friends will never understand the reasons behind thier failure to produce consistent express pacers . Last time I tried to tell , i was labeled racist by some indian friend here on this forum . I am not a meat theory believer , Offcourse it is a big factor , but there is a huge reason other than or along with this meat thing . I dont want to elobrate much .
 
Regardless of the fun I just don't think his action and delivery stride would let him hit anywhere near 100mph.

He should aim to average under 30 - that would be an achievement.
 
iHammad said:
I saw him today against NZ and he was barely touchin 82 MPH! I think 100 is just too much for him. He should take it one step at a time, 85,90,95 then maybe if he can achieve those he can target 100! Slow and steady wins the race....

I saw him too. I was just curious. Looks like he is between Razzaq and Rao. He won't be able to make it in Pak, SL, SA, or Auss teams as a bowler. I think SL will take him to the cleaner.
 
Xohaib said:
He was bowling 131 KPH today and his fastest was 133kph

I just remember Bond bowling one ball at 139KPH but the rest in the 120's. It was a slow pitch today and better the slower the speed as the ball doesn't come onto the bat. Hopefully we'll see what he can do on bouncy wickets in S.A. altho they may also be slow.
 
mindless slogging said:
I just remember Bond bowling one ball at 139KPH but the rest in the 120's. It was a slow pitch today and better the slower the speed as the ball doesn't come onto the bat. Hopefully we'll see what he can do on bouncy wickets in S.A. altho they may also be slow.

Bond is 32 year old who has history of back injuries. he will never bowl 90+ consistently now. ishant is 20 years old and already touching mid to early 80s.. :)))
 
mindless slogging said:
I think he may have ambitions of just bowling one ball in international cricket at 100mph and thats it.

But look at what that did to :akhtar .
yeah but to do that u have to bowl other balls at close to that pace like Akhtar and Lee. He just suddenly cant bowl 100 after bowling couple overs touching 82 right? :13:
 
sharma's aim should be bowling line and length at brisk medium pace thats all he is just like kapil dev
 
Oh Dear God...Rao Iftikhar bowls faster then this goof.
 
His action and height will not allow him to even bowl in 90's
 
Xohaib said:
His action and height will not allow him to even bowl in 90's


Oh really ? that must be why he was clocked at 92 MPH in Australia last tour down under :))
 
From reading this thread I am seeing lots of sour grapes who are getting moody cause an Indian has an ambition of bowling at 100 MPH. Just let it go people, it really isnt the end of the world. Take a deep breath count to 10 and just let it go, dont take it personally.
 
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