Mumbai, Dec 19: Every cricketer has that one moment that defines his career. For Ishant Sharma, it came on his first tour to Australia, in 2007-‘08. The spell he bowled to Ricky Ponting at Perth in 2008 has become part of cricket’s David v Goliath folklore.

Ishant had done Ponting in his first over of the match, with bounce and away movement, after setting him up with two bouncers outside the off-stump. “At that time I was too new to deploy any tactics against a big batsman like Ponting. I was just trying to pitch it in the right areas,” Ishant says disarmingly, recalling the dismissal. That wicket sent the confidence of the 19-year-old rookie pacer soaring, and it reflected in his bowling in the second innings. He had the champion right-hander hopping and fishing, nicking and missing during a spell of swinging and rising deliveries, pitched relentlessly in the corridor of uncertainty. Ponting’s trial by fire went on for seven overs, but before he could heave a sigh of relief for coming out unbeaten, something interesting happened. Virender Sehwag, deputy to India captain Anil Kumble, came up with a masterstroke. Sehwag, who had seen a lot of Ishant while captaining him for Delhi at the domestic level, knew that with the rhythm he was in, he could turn the Test in India’s favour.

“After I had bowled seven overs, Ponting was on strike and that’s when Viru bhai came and asked me if I’d like to bowl one more over to him as he didn’t look too comfortable against me.” Ishant recalls. Next, Sehwag walked up to Kumble and said, "Meri baat maano ... Ponting strike par hai aur ladka [Ishant] rhythm mein hai (Take my advice. Ponting is on strike and the boy is in rhythm).” Kumble relented and famously asked Ishant, "Ek aur karega? (Would you bowl another over?)" Ishant replied, "Haan karoonga (Yes, I will)".

After troubling Ponting with his inswingers throughout the spell, he ran in and sneaked in a straighter one just outside off-stump. Ponting poked at it and Rahul Dravid held a dolly at first slip. Ishant got Ponting off the first ball of the over. “These miracles happen on the cricket field at times,” is how Ishant sums up the incident.

It was the breakthrough that eventually resulted in India becoming the first team from the subcontinent to breach Australia’s fortress – the WACA in Perth. At the unlikely age of 19, Ishant was riding the crest of success. That meant the trench was on its way. His young body started revolting to the exertions of fast bowling while his mind was bogged down by too many considerations. He lost his rhythm, fitness and eventually his place in the team. But like a true sportsman, he returned to the basics, worked hard to understand his body and uncluttered his mind. “I haven’t made any changes in my action, just increased my workouts in the gym and physical training. The result is reflected in my bowling,” Ishant says. And the results back him up.

Ishant returned from the 2011 Caribbean Test tour with 22 wickets and the Man-of-the-Series trophy. And as he showed in England and in the home series against West Indies, the pace is back and so is the control. “Now I’m feeling pretty strong and confident about myself; I’m bowling fast and in good rhythm,” he says. This time in Australia, Ishant hopes to pair up with Zaheer Khan, his mentor who is returning from an injury lay-off. “The kind of bowler that he is, [his return] will make a huge difference, not only to my bowling but to the entire team,” he says.

“He shares his experience with the young fast bowlers, helps us in forming our plans and setting the fields. Apart from his bowling, these are the areas where his contribution is extremely vital.” While Zaheer is coming off a hamstring injury, Ishant has recently battled a dodgy ankle. India’s long-cherished dream of a Test series win in Australia will largely depend on whether their two premiere pacers can keep injuries at bay for the next 45 days.