Ishant Sharma last played a one-day game for India in 2016 but it’s one of his outings in the Indian blue that still gets the pace bowler emotional.
It was the third ODI against Australia in Chandigarh in 2013 and India had posted 303/9 in their 50 overs. Australia’s chase wasn't going according to plan and they needed 44 runs off the last 3 overs.
Skipper MS Dhoni then handed the ball to Ishant Sharma in the 48th over.
“I think … that was the first time … I cried because of cricket.”
James Faulkner, in one over, switched the fortunes of the teams. Ishant was hit for a 4, 6, 6, 2, 6 and a 6. A total of 30 runs were conceded and India went onto lose the match.
“The Faulkner over”.
“I have always been hard on myself; I am not someone who just pushes things under the carpet. I lost a game for India. I didn’t cry for just one day… I cried for 15 days at least,” Ishant told Indian Express in an interview after returning from this winter’s tour of Australia where the 30-year-old played an instrumental role in India’s first-ever Test series win Down Under.
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