India paceman Ishant Sharma hails the presence of senior fast bowler Khan even as he comes face-to-face with the challenges his second tour of Australia throws at him

As a teenager on the 2007-08 tour of Australia, Ishant Sharma impressed even the most die-hard of Australian fans with his pace and skill. Ricky Ponting will never forget the torrid time the tall Delhi fast bowler gave him.


Ishant Sharma celebrates the wicket of Ricky Ponting on Day Four of the
Perth Test at the WACA on January 19, 2008. Pic/Getty Images

This time, Ishantu00a0 is older and wiser although some pundits may reckon he is not the same force he was in 2007-08.


Zaheer Khan

Excerpts from a chat:

Memories of the 2007-08 tour of Australia:
I have lots of memories. I went on the tour as a raw bowler and returned a finished product. People came to know me after that tour, they talked about my bowling and it had to be a positive experience for me. I am really excited to go back there again.