IND vs ENG: 'Being Old Friends, We Trust Each Other' Virat Kohli On Ishant Sharma

Cricket Image for IND vs ENG: 'Being Old Friends, We Trust Each Other' Virat Kohli On Ishant Sharma (Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma (Image Source: Twitter))

India pace bowler Ishant Sharma, who is due to play his 100th Test at the Motera Stadium on Wednesday has produced his best as a Test bowler under the captaincy of his Delhi teammate Virat Kohli.

India captain Kohli, 32, believes it is the trust factor that has worked for the two who have been playing cricket together since the mid-2000s.

The two had made their first-class debut together, against Tamil Nadu in November 2006 at the Ferozeshah Kotla.

Kohli has led Sharma in 38 Test matches and MS Dhoni was India captain in 47 Tests featuring Sharma. But over the past few years, since Kohli took over the reins of the Indian team, Sharma has turned into a lethal bowler. He has taken 112 wickets at an average of 25.32 under Kohli whereas his 152 wickets under Dhoni have come at an average of 36.65.

"I have known Ishant for many years now. He started playing state cricket with me, from the first season onwards. We have been roommates for many years in state cricket, Ranji Trophy cricket."

"When he got selected for India, he was fast asleep in the afternoon and I had to kick him off the bed to say that he has been selected and he wouldn't believe me. That is how far we go back," Kohli told the media on Tuesday.

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