I asked Kusal Perera what time you’re going to come for dinner: Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma sounded a bit helpless when asked as to why they could not polish off the Sri Lankan tail. (Source: Reuters)

On a high after claiming a five-for, pace spearhead Ishant Sharma said that he enjoyed bowling on a “green wicket” with a red kookaburra which “seams and swings a bit” causing trouble for the batsmen.

“We are pretty happy with a green wicket to bowl on. I have shortened my run-up just a little bit but not too much. I think I am enjoying bowling with the new ball. Especially, with the red kookaburra ball as it seams and swings a bit. So I am enjoying a lot,” Ishant told mediapersons at the end of the day’s play.

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“We need to bowl in good areas and keep believing in yourself that somehow you will take wickets. That’s what I have been doing,” the lanky speedster said.

Ishant sounded a bit helpless when asked as to why they could not polish off the tail after Sri Lanka were reduced to 47 for six with Kusal Perera taking on the bowling.

“Kusal Perera had nothing to lose. He was just going after the bowling. If you see, he was hitting the ball even when we were hitting the length. You can’t really do anything about that. He even got out while slogging the ball,” said Ishant.

“In these situations, all you need to do is set a field and bowl according to that plan so that captain doesn’t look like a fool in the ground. You need to keep things very simple so it will be easy for the captain as well,” he added.

The Delhi speedster has time and again mentioned that he does not like the tag of being the seniormost bowler or leader of the pack.

“I enjoy bowling not only with Umesh but also with Varun and Bhuvi as well. They haven’t played many Test matches and still they are learning. They need to figure out how they can be consistent to take wickets in international cricket.

“That’s what they need to understand and how they are going to do all these things, how disciplined they are in their bowling. That’s what matters in international cricket,” Ishant said.

“When I am bowling, I am bowler and not leader of the attack. That’s a simple thing. I see the wicket and where I need to bowl. Whatever experience I have, I share it with them. If they like it, they will take it, if they don’t, they won’t take it. They need to be open with that,” he added.

Ishant also played down the aggressive manner in which he send-off Perera.

“He (Kusal) is a good friend. I just asked him what time you are going to come for dinner with me,” the bowler signed off, laughing off the incident with Perera.