For someone who has always been plagued by injuries,Ishant Sharma looks much fitter and stronger than ever. Having spent time at the NCA training for the new season,Ishant knows the value of this season,not just for him but the Indian team too. He is being looked at as leader of the Indian pace attack and much will depend on how fit he stays. In Mohali for the season-opening Champions League Twenty 20,Ishant will be hoping for his team Sunrisers Hyderabad to qualify for the main tournament: "We did well in the last IPL as a team and after the Champions Trophy all players have had a good break so they are feeling good and fit ahead of the qualifiers. We will miss Sangakkaras services as he will be representing his countrys team in thetournament. I am also feeling fresh and looking forward to bowling. It would be great to be bowling along side Dale Steyn at the PCA Stadium during the initial stage as the wicket is known to have good pace and bounce. We have a balanced side that can qualify for the group stage."Ishant bagged 10 wickets in the Champions Trophy and eight in the Tri-Nation tournament and led from the front. With Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra not around,young pacers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shami Mohammed have made a mark and impressed. Speaking on the competition,Ishant had this to say,"I believe that I have been bowling quite well for the past one year. I did well in the Champions Trophy as well as in the series against West Indies. I need not feel insecure about other pacers in the Indian team and aim for extra speed or anything else. Healthy competition is always good and keeps you on the toes. My job is to deliver the goods and that is all my priority." Ishant said.Looking ahead at the upcoming season,Ishant said,"It is very important to maintain fitness levels in order to be in rhythm. I have worked hard on my fitness during the off season and bowled a lot. I have been focused and very positive about my bowling that has helped me retain the rhythm. I hope to have a good CLT outing and do well." Ishant would be the first one to admit that injuries have been his biggest bane. "I have had a topsy-turvy career before last one year due to injuries. I have had my ups and downs. But I have learnt to forget the past and work on the future. After injuries and rehabs,I have had time to work on my fitness and bowling. I have worked really hard on them at the NCA in Bangalore. Right now,I am in a positive frame of mind. I am feeling good about my bowling and fitness and raring to go for CL Twenty 20," he felt.
