Zak the mentor for Ishant

“It’s a special feeling to be back here. So much has happened so fast. It’s a real test of character to be up to the challenge,” Sharma said.

Just a couple of years into top-flight cricket,but the Delhi seamer has experienced it all. From the highs of an Australian summer in early 2008 to his omission from the last two Tests against Sri Lanka and the subsequent ouster from the ODI team,Sharma’s career has taken a downward turn of late. But Sourav Ganguly still feels he is the “future of the Indian fast bowling” for the next “seven-eight years”. The bowler himself is also trying to handle the situation with maturity.

“Every cricketer has his ups and downs. I’m working hard to be back to top pace. I was going awry technically — the left hand was falling at the point of releasing the delivery. But Zaheer Khan has helped me a lot to rectify the problem,” said Ishant. Asked if a bowling coach would come in handy,he said: “Venky (Venkatesh Prasad) had been really helpful. But we don’t have a bowling coach now,and it’s the BCCI’s decision (if they are willing to hire a replacement).”

He,however,brushed aside the talks of burnout. “We have some very good pacers in the Indian team who play on rotation. Much shouldn’t be read into my omission (from the ODI team),” he asserted.

From the high life in the Indian team to a nondescript venue — Sharma,however,contended that motivation wouldn’t be a problem. “I go to every game with same intensity,doesn’t matter if it’s India or Delhi. I love to play cricket. We have played well in the last two matches and want to keep the winning-habit going,” said Sharma who is going to play his first Ranji match this season.

About the wicket,he looked surprisingly reluctant. “I don’t look at the wicket before the match. I try to gauge the pace and bounce after the first couple of deliveries.”