Times of India

ADELAIDE, February 17: When Ishant Sharma forced Adam Gilchrist to play on to his stumps on Sunday, a delivery which clocked 152.6 kph on the speed gun, the bowler entered unchartered territory. No Indian bowler has clocked more since the advent of the speed gun.

The event invited special appreciation from the many experts, who have been hugely impressed by the 19-year-old Delhi lad since he first bowled Down Under. While his spell to Ricky Ponting in the Perth Test has been much talked about, his super show at the Adelaide Oval has ushered in a new era in Indian cricket.

"He has been a huge revelation and his rocket-like speed today is sensational. I don't remember any other Indian to have bowled so fast. Not among the ones I have seen since my playing days," remarked Ravi Shastri.

Another big fan of the young paceman, Pakistan pace legend Wasim Akram, too was delighted at Ishant breaking all speed barriers: "I have always said that he has a lot in him and what he produced today tells us that he's ready to go many a mile,"

In fact, the Indian pace bowling attack against Australia in Sunday's tri-series match was one of the best in recent times, with Munaf Patel joining Ishant, Sree Santh and Irfan Pathan. The pace battery had the Aussies hopping, having reduced them to 73 for 5 at one stage.