Ishant Sharma is too erratic as a bowler, feels Raju Kulkarni`

Ahead of the start of the series between India and South Africa, it has been widely believed that the Indian team can create history by winning the first-ever Test series on the South African soil. And the reason behind the belief was India’s pace attack which includes the likes of Ishant, Umesh Yadav, Bhuveshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah. This is the first time when the team is known for its strong pace department, not for the depth batting line-up. 

Ishant has the experience of playing 79 Tests for the country in which he has claimed 226 wickets at an average of 36.55 and the stats forced Kulkarni to say that the Delhi player failed to realize his strong points and utilize his experience as well.

"He (Ishant Sharma) has played 78 (79) Test matches, to play 78 (79) Test matches for India is amazing. But I don't think he has ever led from the front and that has been a problem with him," Kulkarni told reporters as quoted by PTI.

"He is too erratic, every-time he comes with new techniques, strategies, and that itself is very confusing for him."

The 29-year-old made his Test debut against Bangladesh in 2007 and has since picked 115 wickets in 80 ODIs. The pacer was part of the team who played Test against Sri Lanka in the home where he claimed eight wickets in two games in Nagpur and Delhi.

"In the last two series, he (Sharma) was acting very stupidly, reacting to the situations badly, and I think every time he comes out with something different and that is not making him very consistent," the 55-year-old former right arm bowler said.

Virat Kohli is the man who presents himself as a fitness role model and inspired the team to follow his path and it helped the players in sharpening their attack on the field. In Cape Town’s fast track it was the Indian bowlers who steal the show along with Hardik Pandya who played a 93-run knock despite the team facing a 72-run defeat. Kulkarni praised the current team but just warned the players to maintain their fitness as it can break their momentum.

"The current scenario is very good as far as pace bowling is concerned. We have enough resources, enough good bowlers and they are very talented. The only problem for me is the fitness of the players, there is no continuity. You will always find three bowlers playing one Test match, may be three-four Test matches, and then there will be a breakdown and that is an issue to be concerned about," he added.

"Apart from that, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and all (others) are very talented and they have proved in the last Test match (against South Africa), given a wicket like that they can rip apart any team. The second innings was exceptionally well."