Ishant Sharma feels he was not up to the mark in ODIs and T20s

Indian pacer Ishant Sharma admitted that he has not been up to mark in the limited versions of the game unlike Tests, where he is India’s first choice bowler. The Indian Cricket Team is currently in the Caribbean for a four-match Test series beginning on July 21, at Antigua. He also feels that he knows his strengths and should be honest with himself that he didn’t do well in the shorter formats.

Ishant said that the conditions in West Indies will be “challenging” as it will be “hot” and the “recovery” time will be important for the pacers. Having taken 201 wickets from 68 Test matches, Sharma will lead India’s bowling attack in the upcoming series, which is also going to be the first tour under the charge of Anil Kumble at the helm.

As per the reports from BCCI.TV, Ishant Sharma said, "You have to be honest to yourself and that makes it easier for you to accept things. I have to accept that I didn't do well in shorter formats. But I am doing well in Tests and so I know what my strengths are. It's important to know what your strengths are."

The cricketer from Delhi also stated that strengths vary from bowler to bowler. "Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar)'s strength is swing but he can't extract the bounce like I can do. Similarly, I can't get the ball to swing like Bhuvi," said Ishant, who has 201 wickets from 68 Test matches,”

Sharma remarked that the flat pitches in the Caribbean should not be an excuse for the fast-bowlers being inconsistent and the team would also rely on the spinners to take wickets, "You have to have enough overs under your belt. You have to work hard enough even if conditions are not favourable. It is easy to give up and say there's nothing in the wicket so spinners will do the job and we will only try to hit the areas. It doesn't work like that. Specially for me, as I like to go flat out whether it is my second or third spell. I love to give my hundred percent."

He said that he is sharing his experiences with other bowlers like Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shardul Thakur and admitted that others too should identify their strengths.

India will play a warm-up match against West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI from 14 July to 16 July before the first Test begins.