Mumbai, Nov 22: Zaheer Khan’s absence from the national side has given 23-year-old Ishant Sharma an opportunity to lead the Indian bowling attack. The new role may be challenging but Sharma believes it’s just a matter of time that his bowling rhythm will translate into wickets. With young guns Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron providing the much needed pace, Ishant now is concentrating on line and length to get results.

The pacer bowled at a miserly economy-rate of 1.94 runs per over after West Indies put India in to bowl on Day 1 of the third Test at the Wankhede. Ishant spoke to bcci.tv about leading the Indian bowling attack, the young speedsters and mentor Zaheer Khan’s impending comeback.

Excerpts from the interview:

On Day 1 of the third Test

[It was] quite tough; there was something in the wicket but [it was] quite a tough day. We have to be patient on this kind of track. On the first day, most Indian tracks are flat. You need to be patient and bowl in [the] right areas. We did a good job considering it is the first day on an Indian track.

On his take on the batsman-friendly Indian tracks as a fast bowler

It’s easy for the batsmen to score runs on Indian tracks because the bounce is low and there is not much for the fast bowlers; there is lots of spin. But in the last four years the number of wickets the fast bowlers have taken is the same as that the spinners have. There is something for the fast bowlers when the ball is reversing or doing something.

On leading the Indian bowling attack in the absence of Zaheer Khan

It is a great feeling. Being a senior bowler in the Indian cricket team, that’s the dream – to lead the pace attack. Not only the pace attack, lead the bowling attack, actually.

On guiding the younger bowlers in the team

I don’t need to say anything to someone who is playing this level of cricket. I just like to share my experiences with the newcomers. Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav are doing a great job for the Indian cricket team.

On Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron

The good thing about them is that they bowl really fast. Before they appeared everyone would keep saying that India can’t produce fast bowlers; now you can see all three fast bowlers bowling at 90 miles per hour; so I think it’s a great sign. It’s good for the future of Indian cricket.

On the plans to restrict the West Indies on Day 2

If the ball turns or something happens, if we get two or three wickets early in the morning, we can restrict them [to] 350. It will be good for us to get them out for that total.

On Dhoni’s maxim that pace must be complemented by variation

It’s not about the pace; it’s all about the length. In international cricket, batsmen don’t fear pace; it’s the length you are bowling [that’s important]. If you are bowling at 135 kmph and hitting the [right] length, that’s a pretty good thing instead of bowling 145 kmph and not bowling a consistent length.

On the preparations for the forthcoming tour to Australia

[I] am looking forward to the Australia tour. I did well the last time [I went there] so I [will] try my best to do much better than that. [I’m trying to] keep myself fit, be strong and positive about my bowling. The way I am bowling I am pretty happy; I’m in good rhythm. It’s just a matter of time that I get wickets.

On Zaheer Khan’s imminent return

It’s a great thing that Zak will be back because of the kind of bowler he is. He’s been there for the Indian cricket team [for years]; he is tremendous and a great positive for the side.