'IPL Discard' Ishant Sharma On Fire, Hits Maiden 50, Claims 5 Wickets In County Cricket – WATCH

Ishant Sharma lets his bat to the talking after taking five wickets in his County debut game, scores a century against Leicestershire

Arun Rawal
Apr 21, 2018

Ishant Sharma went unsold in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 auctions but he is not resting at home and watching the matches. After taking five wickets in his County debut, Ishant made his presence known in the batting department as well. Playing for Sussex, Ishant scored half-century against Leicestershire at Grace Road, Leicester and helping his team post a decent total on the scoreboard in the first innings.

No! Ishant did not come to bat as a ‘Night Watchman’, he came in to bat when Sussex had already lost seven wickets on a score of 240 runs. They had lost two quick wickets including Luke Wright and Ollie Robinson. Ishant stitched a 153-run partnership with Michael Burgess. At one point, Sussex looked like scoring somewhere near 300 but the Delhi boy’s intervention changed the game.

The 29-year-old scored 66 runs from 141 balls including 6 fours and 1 six. He survived a few edges going past the slip fielders. But when he settled himself in, he came down the pitch and smashed spinners for boundaries as well.

Here’s a look at Ishant’s innings –

REPLAY: A moment of history as Indian superstar @ImIshant scores his maiden first-class fifty and it comes in a Sussex shirt. #gosbts pic.twitter.com/Lp2Q7axh6j

— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) April 21, 2018

Sussex teammates cheering for Ishant as he went out to bat after the lunch break –

We’re back underway at Leicester after lunch on day two. Burgess & Sharma resume their excellent 8th wicket partnership.

Here’s the reaction from our dressing room when @ImIshant went to 50 before the break. Fair to say he’s settled in very well! #gosbts pic.twitter.com/T6hXssOBa9

— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) April 21, 2018

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In the debut match, Ishant took three wickets in the first innings followed by two wickets in the second innings. He got the better of English batsmen Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott announcing his arrival in County Cricket.

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Sussex are on their way to a big score in the first innings.