'If we get a good start tomorrow, we can chase this down' - Ishant Sharma confident of India chasing down 420 in first Test

It has been a journey that has lasted more than 13 years. And now, Ishant Sharma has entered an exclusive list that he can be proud of. In the first Test against England at Chennai, the tall pacer took his 300th Test wicket, and became the sixth Indian bowler, and the third Indian pacer to achieve the feat.

And, when the other two pacers in the list are Zaheer Khan and Kapil Dev, you know that you are indeed in a very elite list. Ishant trapped Dan Lawrence bang in front of the stumps to scalp his 300th wicket in Tests.

And now, Ishant has confidently stated that if the Indian side gets off to a good start on the fifth day, they can even go ahead and chase down the target set by England. He stressed that India should focus on the remaining 381 runs, and not the 9 wickets. He further added that the Indian batting line up is one that is fearless and backed his side to chase down the target at Chennai. He also shed light upon his bowling and said that he is a bit ‘sore’ especially after bowling around 35 overs in the match.

“I’m a bit sore, after bowling 4-over bursts in domestic cricket, and then bowling 35 overs within a gap of just 3-4 days. If we get a good start tomorrow, we can chase this down, because we have a batting line-up that is fearless and can chase this down, and it’s important to look at 381 runs and not 9 wickets,” said Ishant in a chat with Star Sports.

“It’s been quite a roller-coaster life,” says Ishant Sharma

Ishant also shed light on his journey in Test cricket that has now lasted 98 Test matches (including the current Test against England). He said that it has been a roller coaster ride for him. The new entrant into the 300-wicket club concluded by stating that he has had a lot of mentors who have taught him the art of bowling in the sub-continent, as against bowling abroad.

“It’s been quite a roller-coaster life. I’ve had a lot of experience, a lot of mentors who taught me how to bowl in the subcontinent and how to bowl abroad,” concluded the pacer.

The Indian side ended the fourth Day with their scorecard reading 39/1, and are still 381 runs away from victory. The Virat Kohli-led side can take inspiration from the fact that the Indian team chased down a target of 387 against England successfully at the same venue in the year 2008. And coincidentally, Ishant is the only member of the current Test team who was part of the epic victory in 2008.