The 20-year-old fast bowler Ishant Sharma is beginning to show all the signs of becoming a glorious bowIer and is undoubtedly one of the best young cricketers in the world.

Only last month when facing Australia in Adelaide, Sharma recorded the fastest ever ball served up by an Indian bowler at 94.8 mph.

In January Ishant and his 6ft 5in frame came up against Ricky Ponting and plagued the Australian captain with a series of unprecdicable balls with his high action. That hour of play where he had Ponting, one of the best batsmen in the world, struggling for air and in all sorts of trouble, was enthralling and a joy to see. Ponting admitted that in that tumultuous hour he endured some of the best bowling he had ever faced.

One of Sharma’s greatest moments in his brief but brilliant career came last month at the Melbourne Cricket Ground when India beat Australia by five wickets, a victory spearheaded by the lanky bowler. He bagged four wickets as Australia were smashed, being dismissed within 44 overs for 159 runs. In his intoxicating bowling spell Ishant claimed the scalps of Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds, and Michael Clarke finishing with four for 38.

Sharma is a great find for India, all he needs to do is keep away from injury and add some bulk to his beanpole frame. In terms of staying fit Sharma’s comfortable action will ensure that he isn’t hit by too many injuries. And if he works on his run-up he may be able to squeeze more pace out of his bowling.