Ishant

Ishant has a new bunny in Ponting
Ishant Sharma has a new bunny in Ricky Ponting, who he bagged for the sixth time in five Tests on the fourth day in Mohali.
By Rajarshi Gupta
Ishant has fast enough made the Ausralian skipper his bunny in the longer version of the game, much like his illustrious colleague, Harbhajan Singh, who has made it a habit of pouching Matthew Hayden.
Bowlers always find their prey and the best amongst the lot get after the most difficult of batsmen. Remember, the famous rivalry between former Australian fast bowler Glen McGrath and former England skipper Michael Atherton?
Pigeon pocketed Atherton as many as 19 times in 17 matches. The legendary Aussie Arthur Morris troubled Alec Bedser of England no end and sent him back on 18 occassions in the 21 Tests the two played against each other.
West Indian tearaway Malcolm Marshall got the better of Graham Gooch 16 times in 21 Tests. Atherton failed to get hold of another modern day great Courtney Walsh, who mesmerised the opener to send him back to the hut on 17 occasions in 27 Tests.
Walsh was also instrumental in seein the back of gutsy former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy 15 times in 28 Tests. McGrath breached his faith for Atherton after he decided to go after Brian Lara in the 24 Tests the two played against each other. The lanky Aussie new ball bowler got Lara on 15 occasions.
Big names and big deeds. Ishant has already started his ascent to the big league and Ponting is not too bad a name to have as a bunny. What is that gets to the best in business?
The psyche changes. When Ishant charged into the Australian skipper on Moday afternoon, it looked like something would give way, it looked like the bitter battle the two had started Down Under earlier this year would be stretched the extra mile and much to the delight of the sparse crowd at the PCA, the Delhi lad came up trumps, getting one to hurry past Punter and castling his off stump. Not a pretty sight for any batsman and Ponting is one of the greatest the game has ever seen. The afternoon battle in Mohali could well see the beginning of a new war in world cricket.
And how! Bhajji has repeatedly gone under the skin of the Aussies and in particluar Hayden, who minced no words in branding the Indian off-spinner an "obnoxious weed". Bhajji replied in typical style letting one slip through to Hayden, who hit down the wrong line, trying to sweep it from outside the off stump.
The scene is all set. The bunnies are looking for a place to hide. No worries. Ishant and Bhajji are hot on their heels!