Throwback: When teenage sensation Ishant Sharma troubled Australia legend Ricky Ponting at WACA

Revisiting Ishant Sharma’s most iconic moment on his 38th birthday.

Some cricket matches become memorable in a player’s career not simply because of the number of wickets taken or runs scored, but because of the circumstances surrounding them.

For a young bowler, facing one of the greatest Test batsmen of all time—amidst vastly different conditions and immense pressure—can lay the foundation for a successful career.

For Ishant Sharma, the Indian speedster, one such moment arrived during the India tour of Australia in January 2008.

The lanky Delhi pacer was still only 19 and playing just his fourth Test for India; however, he possessed the attributes that would eventually make him one of the longest-serving fast bowlers in the history of Indian red-ball cricket. 

Ishant Sharma’s unforgettable tussle with Ricky Ponting in 2008

The occasion was the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India at the WACA in Perth. Australia were trailing by a massive 413 in the fourth innings after India took control following a comprehensive lead in the first innings.  

Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain and one of the premier batters of his generation, was at the crease during Australia’s innings. Young Ishant Sharma was given the responsibility to bowl to him by skipper Anil Kumble. The youngster proceeded to make the experienced Australian work for every run. 

Ishant repeatedly troubled Ponting with deliveries that jagged back into the right-hander, and his lanky physique kept generating additional bounce off the surface.

The pressure mounted on the veteran batsman as Ishant bowled a disciplined spell, maintaining a good line and length.

Sharma, who had already dismissed Ponting in the first innings, bowled a memorable nine-over spell before lunch, which also included the prized wicket of the Australian skipper. The dismissal itself came after an extraordinary passage of bowling. 

Ishant had bowled a long spell and was tired, but Virender Sehwag asked the skipper to hand him the ball for another over. Ishant grabbed the opportunity with grace, and the decision immediately paid off. His delivery rose outside off-stump, and Ponting edged it through to Rahul Dravid at first slip. 

This was a defining moment in young Ishant’s career as he dismissed the legendary batter twice in the match.

He picked three wickets in that match and went on to become one of India’s most successful Test bowlers. India eventually won the match by 72 runs, which remains one of India’s most iconic victories at WACA. 

Today, after 18 years, Ishant Sharma turns 38 on the 2nd of September, and we revisit one of the most iconic moments of the Indian pacer’s career. Ishant played 105 Test matches for India and picked 311 wickets in his career. He was one of the crucial players for India during the golden era of Indian red-ball cricket. 

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