India pacer Ishant Sharma, who has struggled for form since his fine show in Australia last year, has come in for praise from skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni after his impressive performance in the first One-dayer in Vodadara.
Dhoni felt the Delhi youngster's performance against Australia on Sunday was an indication that he was on his way back to form.
"I thought Ishant bowled really well and hit right areas. If he is bowling well his speed automatically goes up. That's when you know he's bowling in the right rhythm and is in the right frame of mind," Dhoni remarked after the match.
Ishant returned with figures of 3 for 50 in 10 overs and seemed to hit the deck hard and looked in good rhythm after a couple of overs in his first spell. He was spanked for a few fours in his second spell before settling down again. He accounted for Tim Paine in his first spell and returned in the slog overs to dismiss Mike Hussey and Brett Lee.
Dhoni said Ishant was a bit low on confidence since it was difficult for the youngster to face failure after tasting success at such a young age.
But, Dhoni also pointed out that Ishant needed support from everyone and that's what his team-mates in the Indian squad were doing to help him come out of the rut.
"He's a bit low on confidence and that happens when you are 21 and have always seen success. So it's difficult to deal with failure. When somebody is not doing well, we as friends and team-mates want to back him," he said.
