Ishant: I will go hard at Sangakkara

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India fast bowler Ishant Sharma has promised that he will not hold anything back when bowling to Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara in the upcoming Test series between the countries.

Sangakkara has announced that first two Tests of the three-match series will be his last in international cricket before he retires from a stellar career.

Ishant, who played with Sangakkara at IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad, has commended his one-time teammate on a glittering career but has promised to go hard at him.

The right-arm bowler said: “He is playing for his country and I am playing for my country. We played together only in the IPL and this is international match. So I will not think that he is playing his last game, I will go hard at him.”

The lanky paceman also spoke about the differences in the conditions between the two countries, saying he could get more movement as a seamer in Sri Lanka.

Ishant explained: “A major difference here from India is the ball. They also leave some grass on the wickets here so the ball is seaming and swinging a bit.

“So, the new ball is important and after that how consistent you are with the old is going to make a huge difference.”

The first Test starts in Galle on Wednesday.