Ishant Sharma tells India to prepare for Aussie crowd abuse

Ishant Sharma

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That's according to India's spearhead fast bowler Ishant Sharma.

Sharma, 26, is on his third tour of Australia and wants his younger team-mates to be prepared for passionate and abusive crowds.


Ishant Sharma says Australia's passionate crowds can make life tough for touring cricket teams. Photo: Getty

"Australia is a really amazing country to play cricket in," Sharma told reporters in Adelaide.

"What I know from my past experience in Australia, I think you will get a hard time from the crowd as well and you have to be prepared for all these things.

"Obviously it's mentally challenging for you when the people are saying all these things to you, and at the same time you're handling the pressure in the centre as well.

"If we are mentally ready for all these things, we will do well."

Last time Sharma and the Indians were in Australia, the were hammered by Australia's captain Michael Clarke in 2009/10

Clarke belted a triple century and a double-ton and averaged 125 for the series.

But Sharma says the tourists are better prepared this time, starting with the first Test at Adelaide Oval from Tuesday.

"We have certain number of plans for certain batsmen, not only Michael Clarke," he said.

"(David) Warner is scoring runs for them, (Shane) Watson - you have different plans for everyone. We have a plan A, a plan B.

"I think the old ball is going to be very crucial for us, how you are going to bowl with the old ball to certain batsmen.

"That is the time you can go for runs, it's very difficult for the bowlers to stick to your basics ... you're getting tired, you're mind is getting drifted from one side to the other side, so how you can control all these things is really important."

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