Ishant Sharma Gets Sharp for India's Twenty20 Defence

Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma

Chennai: Strike bowler Ishant Sharma is looking to sharpen his yorkers and widen his repertoire to help India defend their title in the Twenty20 World Cup in England next month.

"Conditions in England will be helpful for bowlers and I want to make it memorable for myself," 20-year-old Sharma told the Indian Express on Friday. "It's a huge honour to go in as the defending champions," he added.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni led a young Indian team to surprise success in South Africa in 2007 to ensure the game's newest format gained instant popularity in cricket's commercial hub.

"I really have to take care of my economy rate and then I need to work on variations," said the wiry paceman, who was part of a losing Kolkata franchise in the ongoing Indian Premier League Twenty20 in South Africa.

"In Twenty20, you need to have a good yorker and different kinds of slower balls. Also, I am looking to become an impact bowler because nothing else puts the opposing team back like losing early wickets."

Sharma played his first Twenty20 international during the 2008 tour of Australia, nine months after making his test debut, and soon emerged as the leading fast bowler for his country.

Sharma will spearhead a five-man pace attack to exploit the seam-friendly conditions in England with the wily left-armer Zaheer Khan as his new-ball partner.

India are in group A with Bangladesh and Ireland. The tournament starts in June 5.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

Related links

ICC World Twenty20, 2009 News

Ranatunga Blames Modi for India's T20 WC Disaster [+]

In a stinging attack on Lalit Modi, former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga has blamed the Indian Premier League commissioner for the national team's disastrous show in this year's Twenty20 World Championships.

Umpires Threat Forced ICC to Think Shifting T20 WC [+]

The report says the elite panel of umpires had refused to stand in the competition.

BCCI Sacks Team India Coaches [+]

Both Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh were under the scanner after India's dismal show in the Twenty20 World Cup and last month's Champions Trophy.

Afridi's T20 WC T-shirt to be Displayed at London's Museum [+]

Flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi's Twenty20 World Cup jersey will soon find a rack at the historic Lord's Museum in London.

ICC World Twenty20 Team [+]

Four members of the triumphant Pakistan side and three from runner-up Sri Lanka have been included in the ICC World Twenty20 team of the tournament.

World Twenty20 - The Most Dramatic Happenings [+]

The second edition of World T20 had all the nail-biting ingredients, action, suspense and climax. Here is the lists of some memorable moments.

Pakistan Beat Sri Lanka to win Twenty20 World Cup 2009 [+]

Pakistan won their first major title in 17 years when they stunned Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the World Twenty20 final at a sell-out Lord's on Sunday.

T20 WC Final - Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Lord's, London - Preview [+]

Two Asian team Pakistan and Sri Lanka, linked by tragedy, will contest in the Final of 2nd World Twenty20 at Lord's on Sunday (June 21).

Afridi Wants to Make it Third Time Lucky [+]

Shahid Afridi is desperate not to end up on the losing side for the third time in a row when he turns out for Pakistan in the World Twenty20 final.

Lanka Thrash Windies by 57 runs, Reach in Finals [+]

T Dilshan (96* off 57 balls) and A Mathews (3/16) guided Sri Lanka to a convincing 57-run win over West Indies in the second World T20 semis at the Oval.