Let Ishant just concentrate on taking wickets, says coach

Team India is desperate for an all-rounder and several pundits will be thinking of Ishant Sharma as an eligible contender after his heroic batting on Tuesday to help India clinch the opening Test against Australia at Mohali. Ishant faced 106 balls to score those crucial 31 runs and build a solid 81-run partnership with VVS Laxman for the ninth wicket.

However, his childhood coach Shravan Kumar cautioned: "It will be dangerous to rate him as an all-rounder in the making. He might get distracted from his main priority - taking wickets," Kumar told MiD DAY.

The last couple of years have been a great learning curve for Ishant (22). The lanky pacer was rated highly after a fabulous tour of Australia in 2008 and was touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket.

The burden of expectations was too much to carry on young shoulders and slowly, wickets started drying up.

He eventually lost his place from the India ODI and T20 teams.

However, things have just started to look good for Ishant. And Kumar feels expecting too much would only add extra pressure.

"He is just finding his rhythm back. He's getting into the groove and gaining back his confidence. We should just let him perform," said the Delhi-based coach.

As far as Ishant's Mohali knock was concerned, Kumar said: "I am not surprised with his batting ability. Ishant just hates to give his wicket away. I wouldn't say he was the hero of the match. But he lent great support to Laxman."