Ishant Sharma : We have to be ruthless against West Indies

07/29/2016

India's reluctant pace spearhead Ishant Sharma was in the thick of things in the 1st Test, but ended up with just 1 wicket for his efforts. However, the pacer hoped to turn things in the next Test and get more wickets and wanted India to be ruthless and positive in their next duel with the Windies.

Ishant Sharma has had a very average outing in the Caribbeans over the past month. Failing to pick a single wicket during the warm-up matches in the almost-Indian conditions here, Ishant was in the bottom of the bowlers' lists in the first Test as well. However, the pace spearhead appears confident of turning things around against one of the weakest West Indian line-ups in memory.

"West Indies batsmen struggled against short pitched deliveries. We bowled according to a plan. We bowled short and mixed with fuller length deliveries. On a pitch where nothing happens, you need to be consistent. Umesh and Shami bowled well in the first innings and Ash (Ashwin) and Mishy (Mishra) did well in the second innings. I got one wicket in this match but may be in the next it will be my turn to get more wickets," said the lanky pacer.

Speaking about India's plans for the rest of the series, Ishant said, "We have to be ruthless and play positive cricket. The rest we have to assess as to how the game progresses and plan according to situation."

Ishant also praised the bowling attack for their fitness and resolve in firing on all cylinders in the second innings after bowling through their quotas in a tiring first innings.

"If the captain says that you need to enforce follow-on, then we have to be ready. It is all about fitness. We were not at all tired," said Ishant.