Ishant okay with sledging, but within limits

“There is nothing wrong with having a word or two as it shows aggression. But it is important that the aggression remains controlled aggression,” Ishant said in New Delhi on Thursday.

“One should be careful not to over-react as it can affect one’s game. I have learnt about it and am a thinking bowler now,” the Delhi speedster, who was himself fined for showing Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds the way to the pavilion after dismissing him in the recent tri-series, said.

In light of the recent acrimonious series in Australia, BCCI proposed at a recent ICC meeting that sledging had no place in cricket and should be banned.

ICC also shot off a letter to the CEOs of all its Full Member boards and international captains, asking the players to avoid sledging.

BCCI’s suggestion, however, has not found favour with Cricket Australia which made it clear that the present regulations were good enough to curb undesirable verbals in the middle.

Aussie seamer Stuart Clark has also argued that a blanket ban on sledging would make the game “boring” while former skipper Mark Taylor had suggested a card system to deal with improper behaviour.

Meanwhile, Ishant, who has missed the ongoing Test match against South Africa in Chennai due to a finger injury, is confident of returning to the Indian team for the next Test in Ahmedabad starting April 3.

“It is disappointing to miss a Test match but one cannot do anything about injuries.

“I will be fit for the next Test and am looking forward to the future. I had been advised three weeks’ rest and have started bowling a few days ago but am careful not to put too much load on myself,” the Delhi paceman said at a product launch.

Ishant, who has been signed by Indian Premier League’s Kolkata franchise for a phenomenal USD 925,000, did not feel any pressure due to his high valuation.

“I am feeling positive about the IPL and don’t feel any pressure.” He was also looking forward to bowling with Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar for the IPL team.

“He is the fastest bowler in the world and I would try to learn from him,” Ishant, who became the quickest Indian bowler ever breaking the 150 kmph barrier in Australia, said.

The youngster said he was not getting carried away with speed and working to get more disciplined in his bowling.