Ishant Sharma 2.0: The Science-Backed Comeback Redefining Indian Fast Bowling

How Ishant Sharma Reignited His Fire: The Untold Comeback Tale of India’s Towering Paceman

You know how some players just fade away quietly, right? Well, Ishant Sharma wasn’t ready for that script. Imagine this—it's 2022, and the lanky fast bowler who once terrorised world-class batters gets a straightforward message from Rahul Dravid: “We’re looking beyond you in Tests.” That’s got to sting.

At almost 33, with the pace dipping and the body not responding the way it used to, most would’ve called it a day. Add to that—no IPL contract that year, no spotlight, no national camp, nothing. It was the sort of phase where you either hang your boots… or change the game. Ishant chose the latter.

💥 The Turning Point: From Red Ball to White Ball Dreams

Now, here's where it gets spicy. Ishant made a tough call—he backed off from the traditional red-ball format and pivoted all his energy into mastering the shortest version of the game. It wasn’t just a shift in format; it was a full reboot.

And that’s when he found Steffan Jones, an Englishman with a freakishly deep understanding of the biomechanics of fast bowling. Jones wasn’t your regular coach either. This guy had 20 years of county experience, a degree from Cambridge, and expertise in sports science and strength and conditioning. Basically, the full package.

Their bond wasn’t new though. “Ishant first got in touch during India’s tour of England in 2017-18. He was curious, he asked a lot of questions,” says Jones. And that curiosity led to one of the most unconventional comebacks Indian cricket has seen.

🚀 Fast Forward to IPL 2025: Ishant 2.0

Let’s talk numbers. Ishant’s stats for Gujarat Titans this season—3 wickets in 5 matches—might not scream “comeback of the year”. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll see a completely different story unfold.

What’s actually grabbed everyone’s attention is this: Ishant consistently hitting 140+ kmph every single match. And not just one-off spells—he’s maintaining that intensity through all his deliveries. Not bad for someone who was almost written off, right?

This kind of revival doesn’t happen by fluke. It’s been powered by science, smart training, and a whole new philosophy that’s challenging traditional cricketing norms in India.

🎯 Behind the Scenes: Welcome to ‘Pace Lab’

Enter “Pace Lab”—the brainchild of Steffan Jones, a unique setup focused on decoding fast bowling through sports science and biomechanics. It's not just theory; it’s real, practical stuff that’s helping pacers rethink their limits.

While Jones handles the planning, on-ground execution in Gurgaon is done by his assistant Ayush, especially during the Indian off-season. Ishant trains under Ayush now, but the brains behind the machine is Jones himself.

"Ishant’s become more explosive. He’s lighter on his feet. That’s because we’ve learnt to manage workload, not just increase it," says Jones. “In India, most coaches still believe that ‘more is better’, but that doesn’t work for fast bowling anymore.”

❌ Why Volume-Based Training is Outdated Now

Here’s an eye-opener: Steffan explains the outdated myth of bowling volume. Remember how legends like Wasim Akram used to say, “The more I bowled, the better I got”? That worked back then—when cricket was played in phases and didn’t stretch across formats all year long.

But in today’s fast-paced cricket schedule, volume training doesn’t translate well. It’s like driving in second gear during practice and expecting to cruise in fifth gear on match day. It just doesn’t work that way anymore.

That’s why Ishant now uses a pocket radar during training. Yep, you read that right—a radar that checks the speed of every delivery. If the numbers drop below a threshold, it means fatigue is creeping in. Training stops. Simple.

This is science-led performance tracking. Not guesswork. Not ego.

💡 Steffan’s Philosophy: Beyond the “Guru Syndrome”

One thing Jones points out clearly is the difference in coaching mindsets. “Indian cricket often values who is saying something rather than what is being said,” he remarks.

But here’s his golden mantra:

“Coaching isn’t just about sharing past experiences. It’s about initiating change, understanding human movement, and teaching game awareness.”

That’s a bold, refreshing perspective—especially in a country where ex-players are worshipped like demigods. Steffan isn’t dismissing their experience. He’s just saying, there’s more to coaching than nostalgia.

🧠 Gross Motor Skills vs. Repetition: A New Way to Train

Another big idea that sets Jones apart is his belief in gross motor skill development. While repetition may help in activities like writing or playing the piano, it’s a whole different ball game with fast bowling.

“Each delivery is unique,” Jones says. “Stress levels change. Opponents change. Fatigue plays a part. That’s why copying the same movement over and over won’t help.”

This is where Pace Lab’s data-driven model gives bowlers like Ishant a genuine edge. Every aspect—from stride length to arm action to delivery point—is monitored, adjusted, and refined.

🌟 Closing the Gap: Creating India’s Next Gen Fast Bowling Stars

Steffan has a bigger vision. He doesn’t want just one or two elite pacers hogging the limelight. He wants to bridge the gap between top-level pacers and India’s domestic bowling talent.

“There’s a clear gulf between your best bowlers and the next in line. My aim is to build a conveyor belt of fast bowlers who can bowl at 150 clicks consistently and accurately,” he says.

And with programs like Pace Lab expanding across India, that vision may not be far from reality.

📌 Key Takeaways from Ishant’s Comeback Journey:

• Mindset Shift: From traditional training to data-backed methods.

• Workload Management: Quality over quantity—tracking speed and fatigue.

• Science First: Biomechanics, motor learning, and human movement as the foundation.

• Modern Coaching: Not just “Do as I did,” but “Here’s how you improve.”

• Sustained Pace: Ishant hitting 140+ consistently in his mid-30s.

👊 The Last Word: This Comeback is Bigger Than Cricket

Ishant’s resurgence is more than just a personal victory—it’s proof that Indian fast bowling is ready to evolve. It shows that with the right tools, even seasoned players can rewrite their narrative.

So, the next time someone says a player is "past his prime," remember Ishant Sharma. Remember the pace. Remember the radar. And remember that comeback stories in Indian cricket are just getting started.