Will have to get used to new normal: Ishant Sharma on possible ban on use of saliva

Senior India pacer Ishant Sharma says fast bowlers will have to get used to "new rmal" if ICC decides to ban use of saliva to shine ball owing to COVID-19 pandemic.

International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly considering use of artificial substances on ball instead of saliva in post-COVID-19 scenario, effectively legalising ball-tampering. idea has attracted a mixed response from cricketing fraternity.

"We kw re are talks of some changes and adjustments in cricket, but I feel cricketers will have to get used to new rmal, whatever that is," said Ishant during an Instagram live with his IPL franchise Delhi Capitals. 

" ball may t shine as per your liking if you are t allowed to use saliva, or you may have to go and fetch ball yourself during nets - but re is option but to get used to se things. "But honestly I don't like to think about se things too much. I feel it is important to stay in present and t look too far ahead," said lanky pacer.

During chat, Ishant also said he has t met a better coach than Ricky Ponting as Australian great made him feel wanted from word go in his IPL comeback last year.

Ishant was bought by Delhi Capitals ahead of 2019 IPL after he went unsold in previous auction. veteran of 97 Tests felt like a "debutant" on day one of Delhi Capitals camp until head coach Ponting's words lifted his spirits.  

"He's best coach I've ever met. I was very nervous when I was making a return to IPL last season. I was almost feeling like a debutante walking into camp first day, but he gave me a lot of confidence since first day I arrived at camp.

"He just told me, 'You're a senior player and you should help youngsters. Just don't worry about anything - you're my first choice.' And I think that bit of conversation really helped me," Ishant recalled.

Speaking of time when he got better of Australian legend Down Under in 2008, Ishant said, "People still talk and ask me about Perth Test, and spell I bowled to him. Later that year when Australia visited India too, I was in great form. 

"Gary (Kirsten) was our coach n, and he told me that Australians play only to win...That success I had against m in 2008 is easily one of highlights of my career."

By his own admission, Ishant has been a different bowler after his county stint at Sussex under watchful eyes of former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie.

"People keep saying Ishant 2.0, which makes it sound like I am a robot! But phase before 2017 was one when pressure to perform was a lot. I gave me sleepless nights, and I hardly found any joy in my bowling. 

"My county stint (in 2018) with Sussex was what changed everything. It was a gruelling stint for me because I was bowling 22-23 overs in a day, batting as well, and n coming back home to do chores. It was a tough drill but somehow I enjoyed it a lot," he said.

"It was kind of a self-realization also...credit also to Jason Gillespie who was my coach re. When I came back to India to play after that, I felt a lot free and focussed only on enjoying present, which took off a lot of pressure from me," he added.

Talking about his routine in ongoing lockdown, Ishant added: "I've started waking up at 5 am and I ensure that I'm putting in a running session in morning and n working out during day to stay very fit.

"I think it's really important to be very disciplined if you keep performing at highest level, and I think that is what sets best apart from aver," said Ishant, who was feeling a bit frustrated in initial days of lockdown.