Ishant Sharma Debut, Biography, Stats, Net Worth, Wife, IPL Team, Records, Career

Ishant Sharma is one of the finest and most senior fast bowlers in Indian cricket. Known for his height, bounce, and unwavering discipline, he has served Indian cricket for over a decade and a half. This is the story of a teenager who debuted and went on to become a mainstay of India’s pace attack – a story of patience, evolution, and perseverance. Ishant is a familiar, celebrated, and almost synonymous name in Indian Test cricket, where he has made a significant contribution to the development of the game, particularly outside the subcontinent, in his own unique way.

Net Worth & Lifestyle

Ishant Sharma’s net worth is estimated to be approximately ₹110-120 crore.

Income sources include:

• BCCI Central Contract
• IPL Salary
• Match Fees
• Brand Endorsements

Wife

Pratima Singh is married to Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma. She is a former Indian women’s basketball player and comes from a sports-loving family. Ishant Sharma and Pratima Singh got married in December 2016. They both understand the pressures of professional sports, which strengthens their relationship. Pratima has always supported Ishant throughout his cricket career. Thankfully, the couple lives a simple and private life away from the media spotlight.

Biography & Early Life

Ishant Sharma was born on September 2, 1988, in Delhi, India. He grew up in a middle-class family where education and discipline were highly valued. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in sports, particularly cricket. His unusual height for his age set him apart from his peers. He trained under coach Shivam Amarnath in Delhi, where he honed his skills in fast bowling and learned the art of generating bounce. It took Ishant a few years to establish himself as a fast bowler; he was quite inconsistent in the early stages of his career, but his ability to extract bounce from the pitch made him a unique player in India. His hard work paid off relatively quickly when he was selected to play at a very young age, making him one of the youngest fast bowlers to represent the country.

Family & Personal Life

Ishant Sharma comes from a very humble background. His father worked for a private company, and his mother was a housewife. His family provided him with immense support during his childhood, which fueled his passion for cricket. Ishant Sharma is married to former Indian basketball player Pratima Singh. Their marriage is admired because both are athletes and understand the challenges of the sporting world. Although he is a public figure and is often photographed in public places, Ishant keeps most of his personal life private and maintains a good balance in this regard.

Biography Table

Bowling Stats

Batting & Fielding Stats

International Debut Details:

Ishant Sharma was considered one of India’s most promising players from a very young age. Test debut: May 25, 2007, against Bangladesh; One Day International debut: February 3, 2007, against West Indies; T20 International debut: September 19, 2007, against England. Interestingly, Ishant made his Test debut at the age of 18, making him one of the youngest fast bowlers in the history of Test cricket for India.

Early International Career

In 2007-08, when India toured Australia, Ishant Sharma captured the attention of the entire world. His brilliant bowling against Ricky Ponting in Perth is still considered one of the finest spells of fast bowling by an Indian pacer. That series propelled Ishant into the spotlight as a bowler who could trouble the world’s best batsmen. However, his performance in the early stages of his career was inconsistent, and he faced unfair criticism for his lack of control and high economy rate. Instead of getting discouraged, Ishant worked on improving his fitness, rhythm, and discipline over time, which transformed him into a much more reliable bowler.

Development as a Test Specialist

Ishant Sharma’s best phase came after 2014. He capitalized on India’s improved fast-bowling unit and enhanced fitness standards to re-establish himself as a Test-match specialist. He focused on bowling long spells with tight lines and making full use of the bounce. His performances in England, Australia, South Africa, and the West Indies proved that Indian fast bowlers could indeed be lethal overseas. Ishant became the senior leader of India’s pace attack, mentoring young bowlers and setting high standards of discipline for them.

IPL Career & Team

Over the past few years, Ishant Sharma has played for several franchises in the Indian Premier League. The experienced fast bowler most recently played for Delhi Capitals, where he made significant contributions both on and off the field. While the IPL has never been his strongest format, he has bowled some crucial overs and provided valuable mentorship. During his IPL career, he has also played for Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kings XI Punjab, and Gujarat Titans.

Bowling Style & Strengths

Ishant Sharma is a right-arm fast-medium bowler, mostly known for:

• Extra bounce due to height
• Bowling long spells
• Discipline in line and length

Effective with both the new and old ball

Ishant Sharma doesn’t bowl at very high speeds; instead, he relies on accuracy, seam movement, and perseverance. In terms of bowling style, he is perfectly suited for Test cricket.

Batting Ability (Brief)

Although batting isn’t his primary role, Ishant Sharma has shown tremendous fighting spirit with the bat in Test cricket. He has played some crucial innings in the lower order, which India has used to extend their innings and frustrate the opposition bowlers. His batting reflects his never-say-die attitude.

Records & Achievements

To his credit, some of the phenomenal milestones in his career are:

• Over 300 Test wickets for India
• One of India’s most experienced fast bowlers
• Key contributor to India’s Test victories overseas
• Played a crucial role in making India the number 1 Test team
• Suffered an injury during a spell against Ricky Ponting in Perth (2008)

His achievements truly reflect his long career and impact on the international cricket scene.

Besides being wealthy, Ishant leads a disciplined and healthy life, which is always evident in his fitness. He is serious about his training, recovery, and mental strength, as this lifestyle has helped him sustain his career as a fast bowler for so long.

Role in Indian Cricket

In the Indian team, Ishant Sharma plays the role of a senior fast-bowling leader. His experience, calm demeanor, and discipline have been crucial in building India’s formidable fast-bowling attack. Young fast bowlers looked up to him as a role model and drew inspiration from him whenever they had the opportunity. Even when he wasn’t included in the playing eleven, he added value to the team structure through his mentorship.

Career Outlook & Legacy

Although he is no longer a regular member of the Indian team, Ishant Sharma’s contribution to Indian cricket is immense. He was instrumental in changing perceptions about Indian fast bowlers, especially on overseas pitches. His career teaches us that true talent must always be combined with patience, fitness, and the ability to adapt over time, so that it can truly stand the test of time.

Read More: Lalit Yadav Debut, Biography, Stats, Net Worth, Wife, IPL Team, Records, Career

Conclusion

Ishant Sharma’s journey from a teenage fast bowler to a seasoned Test match specialist is an inspiring story. He faced harsh criticism, adapted his skills to changing demands, and became one of India’s most reliable fast bowlers. His discipline, mental fortitude, and commitment have now set a new standard for future generations. Ishant Sharma will always be remembered as one of the key architects of the fast-bowling revolution in Indian Test cricket.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who is Ishant Sharma and why are you famous?

Ishant Sharma is a former Indian international fast bowler, known for his height, bounce, and long Test career. He is famous for taking over 300 Test wickets and for his almost legendary bowling spell against Ricky Ponting in Australia.

Q2. When did Ishant Sharma play his first international match?

Ishant Sharma made his international cricket debut in 2007. He played his first Test match against Bangladesh and is one of the youngest fast bowlers to have played for India.

Q3. How many Test wickets have been taken by Ishant Sharma?

Ishant Sharma has taken over 300 wickets in Test matches, making him one of India’s most successful fast bowlers in the Test format.

Q4. Which IPL teams have Ishant Sharma played for?

Among the various IPL teams, Ishant Sharma has played for Delhi Capitals, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kings XI Punjab, and Gujarat Titans.

Q5. Who is Ishant Sharma’s wife?

Ishant Sharma is married to Pratima Singh, a former player of the Indian women’s basketball team.