India | Bowler
Ishant Sharma is an Indian cricketer who has represented India in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. He is a 6 ft 4 in tall right-arm fast-medium bowler. In 2011, he became the fifth youngest player to take 100 Test wickets.
| Full Name Ishant Sharma | Born September 02, 1988, Delhi | Age 36y 263d |
| Batting Style Right hand Bat | Bowling Style Right arm Fast medium | Playing Role Bowler |
TEAMS
Ishant Sharma: The Towering Pillar of Indian Cricket
About Him
Ishant Sharma, born on September 2, 1988, is an Indian cricketer renowned for his towering height (6 ft 4 in / 193 cm) and relentless pace . Nicknamed “Lambu” (tall), his physical frame became his trademark, enabling him to extract steep bounce and intimidating swing. A right-arm fast bowler, he has been a cornerstone of India’s bowling attack across formats for over a decade .
Early Career & Domestic Journey
Sharma’s cricketing journey began at age 14 when he started playing seriously 8. His talent blossomed rapidly, and at 18, he made his first-class debut for Delhi in the 2006–07 Ranji Trophy season. His fiery spells in domestic cricket caught selectors’ attention, propelling him to the international stage within months. His ability to exploit seam and swing early in his career laid the foundation for his rapid rise .
International Career: A Test Specialist
Ishant’s international debut came in 2007, and he soon became a key figure in Test cricket. Over his career (2007–2021), he played 140 Tests , claiming 404 wickets at an average of 34.68, making him India’s third-highest Test wicket-taker . Notable highlights include:
- 2014 England Tour : A stellar performance in the second innings earned him the Man of the Match award, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure .
- Consistency : He consistently troubled top-order batters with his bounce and line, thriving in overseas conditions, particularly in England and South Africa.
- ODIs & T20Is : While less dominant in white-ball cricket, he contributed 112 wickets in 122 ODIs and 8 wickets in 14 T20Is, often excelling in death overs.
IPL Career: A Veteran’s Legacy
Sharma has been a mainstay in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception in 2008. Representing teams like Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) and Punjab Kings, he brought experience and control to franchises. In IPL 2025 , he plays for Gujarat Titans , mentoring young bowlers while maintaining his match-winning potential . Key stats:
- Over 150 IPL matches.
- 150+ wickets with an economy rate of 7.50, excelling in middle overs.
- Known for his death-bowling variations, especially yorkers and slower deliveries.
Strong Zones & Bowling Mastery
Sharma’s strengths lie in:
- Bounce & Swing : His height allowed him to extract steep bounce, troubling right-handers with angled deliveries.
- Reverse Swing : Mastered late reverse swing, dismantling tail-enders in Test matches.
- Crucial Spells : Often delivered match-turning spells in overseas Tests, such as his 5-wicket haul against England in 2014 .
- Leadership : Guided younger bowlers in domestic and IPL setups, emphasizing discipline and fitness.
Legacy & Impact on Indian Cricket
Ishant Sharma’s legacy is etched in his endurance and resilience . As one of only three Indian pacers to cross 400 Test wickets (alongside Kapil Dev and James Anderson), he redefined India’s fast-bowling culture. His overseas heroics, particularly in England and South Africa, earned him global respect. Post-retirement from international cricket in 2021, he continues to inspire via mentorship roles, symbolizing dedication and professionalism.
Ishant Sharma Career Stats
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 105 | 188 | 19160 | 10078 | 311 | 7/74 | 10/108 | 32.40 | 3.15 | 61.6 | 10 | 11 | 1 |
| ODIs | 80 | 78 | 3733 | 3563 | 115 | 4/34 | 4/34 | 30.98 | 5.72 | 32.4 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 14 | 14 | 278 | 400 | 8 | 2/34 | 2/34 | 50.00 | 8.63 | 34.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 154 | 272 | 27294 | 13889 | 486 | 7/24 | 11/51 | 28.57 | 3.05 | 56.1 | 21 | 16 | 2 |
| List A | 135 | 132 | 6312 | 5492 | 192 | 5/21 | 5/21 | 28.60 | 5.22 | 32.8 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| T20s | 179 | 179 | 3727 | 4928 | 155 | 5/12 | 5/12 | 31.79 | 7.93 | 24.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 105 | 142 | 47 | 785 | 57 | 8.26 | 2568 | 30.56 | 0 | 1 | 88 | 1 | 23 | 0 |
| ODIs | 80 | 28 | 13 | 72 | 13 | 4.80 | 203 | 35.46 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| T20Is | 14 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 5* | 8.00 | 9 | 88.88 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| FC | 154 | 196 | 67 | 1095 | 66 | 8.48 | 3441 | 31.82 | 0 | 2 | 122 | 5 | 34 | 0 |
| List A | 135 | 51 | 21 | 200 | 31 | 6.66 | 424 | 47.16 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 27 | 0 |
| T20s | 179 | 36 | 28 | 67 | 10* | 8.37 | 86 | 77.90 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 33 | 0 |
Ishant Sharma T20 Stats
Bowling
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 7 teams | 117 | 117 | 2419 | 3377 | 96 | 5/12 | 5/12 | 35.17 | 8.37 | 25.1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| CLT20 | SRH | 6 | 6 | 138 | 194 | 6 | 2/20 | 2/20 | 32.33 | 8.43 | 23.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 7 teams | 117 | 28 | 22 | 57 | 10* | 9.50 | 69 | 82.60 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 20 | 0 |
| CLT20 | SRH | 6 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 |
Debut/Last Matches of Ishant Sharma
Test Matches
Debut
Bangladesh vs India at Mirpur – May 25 – 27, 2007
Last
India vs New Zealand at Kanpur – November 25 – 29, 2021
ODI Matches
Debut
South Africa vs India at Belfast – June 29, 2007
Last
Australia vs India at Sydney – January 23, 2016
T20I Matches
Debut
Australia vs India at Melbourne – February 01, 2008
Last
India vs Australia at Rajkot – October 10, 2013
FC Matches
Debut
Tamil Nadu vs Delhi at Delhi – November 23 – 26, 2006
Last
Baroda vs Delhi at Delhi – February 02 – 05, 2024
List A Matches
Debut
J + K vs Delhi at Delhi – February 10, 2006
Last
Delhi vs Baroda at Hyderabad – January 05, 2025
T20 Matches
Debut
Delhi vs Himachal at Delhi – April 03, 2007
Last
GT vs SRH at Ahmedabad – May 02, 2025
2025 IPL TEAM
Delhi Capitals Sunrisers Hyderabad Rajasthan Royals Chennai Super kings Gujrat Titans Kolkata knight Riders Lucknow Super Giants Mumbai Indians Punjab Kings Royal Challengers Bengaluru