Ishant chips in: “Viru bhaiiya told Kumble ‘yeh daalega’ and that I have bowled long spells even in hotter conditions. Kumble looked at me, and I was only too happy to tell him, ‘haan mein karoonga’. I got Ponting out in that over’s first delivery.”

A barrage of balls had been cutting in, cramping Ponting for space. And in the first delivery of his eighth over Ishant made the ball hold its line. The batsman assumed it would come in again, and fished at it. But the delivery gained some height after pitching, and squared up, Ponting being caught off a thin edge that ensued.

Ishant’s ability to deliver long spells despite his fragile frame is nothing new for his teammates in Delhi. One recalls a 44.5 degrees Celsius afternoon in Vijayawada against Andhra last season, when Ishant had bowled a marathon 15-4-22-1 spell from one end to keep Shahbuddin at bay, denying Andhra a win.

He’s still to get out of high school, not being able to give his board exams due to his cricket commitments, but he isn’t complaining. He is learning some vital cricketing lessons from the seniors in his team. “I was a bit disappointed after Sydney... I mean it’s depressing not to get a wicket after you bowl well. I knew I had Andrew Symonds but he’s not counted as my wicket. But everybody came to me, spoke to me, especially seniors Viru bhai, Sachin bhai, Rahul bhai, Anil bhai, the entire coaching staff, and they all lifted my spirits,” he admits.

... contd.