Ishant Sharma
India's lanky pace spearhead whose relentless accuracy and memorable spells tormented batting legends for over a decade.
Born 1988 (age 38)·Indian cricketer·Birthday: September 2·Millennials
Biography
Ishant Sharma arrived as a teenage prodigy, all limbs and raw pace, famously ruffling the great Ricky Ponting in Perth during a breakout 2008 Test series. While the express speed of his youth eventually gave way to a more measured approach, Sharma evolved into a workhorse of immense value. Standing at 6'4", he mastered the art of bowling a demanding, metronomic line and length that could wear down any batter, becoming a central figure in India's historic 2018-19 Test series win in Australia. His career is a story of adaptation—from a fiery quick to a wise, senior bowler who understood his role as the pressure-building foil to more attacking teammates. With over 300 Test wickets, his longevity and persistence made him a cornerstone of India's pace bowling renaissance.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ishant was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ishant Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Ishant's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Took over 300 wickets in Test cricket, becoming one of India's most successful fast bowlers in the longest format.
- Was a key member of the Indian team that won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy in England.
- Played a crucial role in India's historic Test series victory in Australia in 2018-19, taking pivotal wickets.
- Received the Arjuna Award, India's second-highest sporting honor, in 2020 for his achievements in cricket.
- Became the fifth youngest bowler to take 100 Test wickets when he achieved the feat in 2011.
Did You Know?
He bowled a famous spell to Ricky Ponting in the 2008 Perth Test, troubling the Australian captain repeatedly and taking his wicket.
He holds the record for the most Test matches played by an Indian fast bowler.
He made his Test debut at the age of 18 against Bangladesh in 2007.
He has taken more than 50 wickets against Australia in Test cricket, one of his favorite opponents.
He was bought for a then-record price for a fast bowler in the 2011 IPL auction by the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala.
“My job is to land the ball on that seam, over and over, until the batsman makes a mistake.”
