The series could have ended on a better note for Ishant Sharma, who has been handed a one-match ban by the International Cricket Council for breaching its Code of Conduct during the last two days of the third and final Test between India and Sri Lanka at the SSC in Colombo.
Ishant Sharma was involved in ugly altercations with the Sri Lankan players a number of times during the last Test. It all started with Rangana Herath and then it came down to Dhammika Prasad, Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne.
The pacer's coach, Shravan Kumar, has blamed captain Virat Kohli (who is known for his aggressive nature) and Team India director Ravi Shastri for his aggression.
"Ishant crossed the limit this time. Sledging is a part of the game, but by making gestures he invited more trouble from the match referee. I think he got carried away with the dressing room atmosphere, especially when you have a captain and team director who talk so much about aggression," Kumar said in an interview to the Mid-Day.
"I will definitely ask him to control his aggression. By now, he must have realised that he is the one who suffered in this incident. The team management hasn't come forward to request the match referee to remove his ban. Ishant needs to be counseled and learn the art of sledging, which is a very subtle act," he added.
Apart from some ugly spats, Ishant was at his sublime best during the series. He became the fourth Indian pacer to pick up 200 wickets in Test cricket. He made sure that he troubles the Lankan batsmen throughout the Test series with his impeccable line, length and pace.
Ishant Sharma yet again pulled things back in India's favour by dismissing Angelo Mathews in the third session of Day 5 when the Sri Lankan captain was taking the game away from India.
"He was determined to complete 200 Test wickets on this tour. I am glad he achieved it. International cricketers prefer spending more time in the gym, but Ishant hit the ground daily, bowling for almost two to three hours in the nets. He worked on his fitness and rhythm. He also shortened his run-up which helped him do well. The best thing was he bowled consistently well in the three Tests," Kumar said.
