Picture Credit: BCCI
Indian tall and lanky speedster, Ishant Sharma is all set to play his 100th Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The Narendra Modi Stadium was previously known as the Motera Stadium. This newly refurbished stadium is the largest stadium in the world. Truly an iconic moment for Ishant in an iconic stadium.
Notably, in the second Test match between India and England, Ishant took the wicket of Dan Lawrence to be the third Indian pacer to reach the 300-wicket bracket. The other Indian pacers to have achieved this feat are Javagal Srinath and Kapil Dev. Kapil Dev is also the only Indian pacer to have played 100 Test matches.
Indian team skipper Virat Kohli lauded his friend and fellow teammate’s achievement. He knows Ishant from close quarters and sung in praises for him. "I have known Ishant for many years now". He started playing state cricket with me from his first season onwards. We have been roommates for many years in state cricket, in Ranji Trophy cricket. When he first got selected for India, he was fast asleep in the afternoon, and I had to kick him off the bed and say you have been selected. And he wouldn't believe me. That's how far we go back,” said Virat Kohli.
This feat of playing 100 Test matches is an incredible one considering the workload of Test bowlers, who have to bowl longer spells with a longer run-up. Cricketers were in awe of this magnificent feat. They poured in love and appreciation on Twitter. Several legends of the sport including Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina, joined in the barrage of appreciation.