Ishant Sharma believes he can be the fourth seamer for India in the World Cup in England and hopes to correct the perception surrounding him with a solid performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Sharma, with the experience of 80 one-day internationals (ODI), had last featured in the format in January 2016, against Australia in Sydney. Of late, he has featured more in Tests.
“I’m always a positive guy and always think something good is going to happen to me. I have opportunities to avail in this IPL. The Indian team is still looking for a fourth seamer. Hopefully, I am that fourth seamer,” Ishant said during a Delhi Capitals interaction.
“I think perception has played a big part in me not being in limited overs set-up. It is something that players have been dealing with, to be honest, but I don’t know frankly that from where these perceptions emerge.”
Asked if he has been in touch with any selector, Ishant said: “I’m not the one to talk to selectors. I only blame myself for my lack of performances. I think if they (selectors) are not selecting me, there has to be some fault in me. I don’t crib. I always take it on me,” he said.
The 30-year-old has had a good season abroad and believes he needs to focus only on performance. “I got tired of the tag that I am bowling well. Now I just want to take wickets. Wickets are the only thing that can change ‘the perception’.”
Ishant said playing county cricket last year helped him improve his bowling. “ I think county cricket has helped me a lot as it was very hard work. Bowling 300 overs in just 16 days, I played four games. But it brought a lot of control to my bowling, especially to my line and length.
“Jason Gillespie gave me a lot of confidence. Even if I didn’t have a good day on the field, he backed me.”
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