Australia great Glenn McGrath has praised India bowler Ishant Sharma for the way he’s kept his international career alive.
Sharma came back from injury to bag a five-for in the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington.
The performance was not enough to hand India the win. They suffered a 10-wicket defeat on day four as their performance with the bat let them down.
Virat Kohli’s men will look to bounce back when the second Test gets underway in Christchurch on Friday.
McGrath has faith in Ishant and other Indian bowlers
Ahead of the Christchurch clash, McGrath has singled out Sharma for praise for the way he has reinvented his game.
“Ishant has a lot of experience, the way he’s come back in the last couple years, it's been impressive. I thought his career might have been finished at international level, but he has reinvented himself and he is bowling well,” said McGrath to news agency PTI.
“I still have total faith in the Indian (bowling) line-up. They had a few injuries of late. Sharma is coming back and he did get five wickets. Bumrah had a couple of injuries and he is coming back. So, yeah, I think the Indian bowling attack is world-class and there is no doubt about that.
McGrath added: “I don’t have any issues with the bowling attack, you don’t lose form overnight. It was just one of those things where the toss made a huge difference. (in the first test in New Zealand), but you’ve still got to get and score runs.”
Sharma well supported
The Australian bowling legend also highlighted the abilities of Shami and Bumrah. He said: “Shami bowls good pace and is deceptive in the pace he bowls, he can move the ball around and is very experienced, just knows the game so well. Jasprit is unique with the way he goes about it. (He has) short run-up, powers through the crease, can swing the ball, good control and good pace (in) second third spells. And then on top of that the other quicks and spinner.”
