Ishant Sharma's Colombo Theatrics Upset Sunil Gavaskar

On Monday, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar had both praise and criticism for Ishant Sharma. India's leading paceman has been on fire against Sri Lanka in the ongoing third and decisive Test at the Sinhalese Cricket Club in Colombo. But according to Gavaskar, Ishant's on-field misdemeanor has left a lot to be desired. (Photos: When Ishant Gets Angry, Sri Lanka Suffer)

Ishant has bowled with heart and so far collected seven wickets, including five in the first innings. Sri Lanka are tottering at 67/3 in a record chase of 386 and if India can pull off a series win, a lot of credit will go to Ishant, but only just. Gavaskar feels Ishant's run-ins with Lankan players will tarnish his good spells.

Ishant has clearly not learnt from his mistakes. In the second Test at the P. Sara Oval, which India won to draw level in the series, the Delhi seamer was fined 65 per cent of his match fees after an unruly celebration.

"Ishant showing passion is very good, but he must control himself because he is the leading bowler," Gavaskar told NDTV from Colombo on Monday.

"Some of the scenes (at the SSC) were not what you wanted to see. International players need to remember they are role-model. This is just a sport that should be played (in the right spirit). A lot of young players are watching."

But there was no denying Ishant's impact on this Test. Not after Lord's, where he took career-best figures, has India's senior-most pacer had such a big say in a Test match.

Thanks to Ishant's two wickets late on the penultimate day, Sri Lanka were on a very sticky wicket chasing a massive 386. No team has ever successfully chased down so many at the SSC and Gavaskar felt India should be able to wrap up victory by tea on Tuesday if rain did not play spoilsport.