WTC Final: Aakash Chopra names three reasons why Ishant Sharma will be India’s trump card on Day 4

WTC Final: Aakash Chopra names three reasons why Ishant Sharma will be India’s trump card on Day 4

Aakash Chopra and Ishant Sharma

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked Ishant Sharma as the player to watch out from the Virat Kohli-led side on Day 4 of the WTC Final.

The lanky speedster emerged as India’s lone wicket-taking fast bowler on Day 3 against the Kiwis. Sharma claimed the wicket of in-form opener Devon Conway. This also marked his 200th away Test wicket in a glorious career of more than 100 games in red-ball cricket.

The cricketer-turned-commentator picked Sharma as the Indian player to do wonders for three reasons. He mentioned that Ishant’s height will be useful just like opposition’s Kyle Jamieson who claimed a fifer during India’s first inning. 

“I am actually going with Ishant Sharma because I like three things about him. Firstly, he has the discipline. Just like Kyle Jamieson, he is tall and stingy and does not give a single boundary ball. He keeps on bowling around the off-stump with discipline,” Aakash Chopra said on his Youtube Channel.

He later asserted that Ishant’s ability to swing the ball and his experience will also play a crucial role in these English conditions.

“Secondly, he is getting the most swing among the Indian bowlers. Then why not Ishant Sharma, he can definitely dismiss the batsmen.

“Thirdly, this player’s experience. He bowls the right ball at the right moment. He is not unlucky these days, he is bowling the very good lengths, pitching the ball up and he will keep on asking the tough questions,” he added.

‘Things can change anytime in this match’: Chopra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNvODRXC_oc&t=637s

New Zealand currently looks in command at 101/2 with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor at the crease. However, Aakash Chopra opined that things can change at any moment as India were also at a similar position at the end of Day 2. However, Virat Kohli’s men lost seven wickets while adding just 71 runs in the morning session of Day 3.

“They (New Zealand) also have to look at where India was. They were 146 for 3, two set batsmen but come next morning, it’s a different world altogether. The ball is moving again, you find the edges, India’s tail hasn’t wagged, the middle-order has collapsed and you haven’t reached where you wanted to reach. Similar things can unfold tomorrow as well,” Chopra concluded.

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