Pacer Ishant Sharma has established himself as a crucial component of India’s Test squad but has found chances in the limited-overs arena hard to come by.
The 30-year-old is set to play a major role in the upcoming four-Test series between Australia and India but his exclusion from the limited-overs setup continues with the pacer not picked in either of the ODI or T20 squads.
The Delhi-born fast-bowler’s last ODI appearance for India came in January 2016 while his last T20 outing came all the way back in 2013.
“It hurts to be ignored for limited-overs cricket. I feel bad to be not part of the one-day team. I want to play all three formats. But I can’t control. If I get frustrated and keep thinking that I am just a Test player, then it would affect my Test cricket,” Ishant said.
With India’s next visit to Australia to come in 2022-23, the pacer believes the upcoming tour could be the last time he gets a chance to play Down Under.
Ishant’s last ODI appearance came in 2016.
“I always go for the kill because when you play for your country, you can’t think of a second chance. I am 30 right now. I don’t know if I will be there for the next tour as I will be 34 by then. I will give my level best on this tour,” he stated.
The hosts will have to make do without the services of their star Test batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner in the series as they continue to serve their one-year ban from international cricket. Despite their absence, Ishant feels that the Aussies will be a difficult proposition for the No1 ranked Indians.
“Whoever plays for Australia must have some quality and a performer at their first-class level. So you can’t take them lightly. Australia, in general, is a tough side, the crowd can make it even tougher. But it can also make you a tough player and I never had any issues with that,” he said.
Ishant hopes to take the field for India in the opening Test against Australia which gets underway on December 6 at the Adelaide Oval.
