Ishant confident of India retaining title

New Delhi: In his brief career so far, Ishant Sharma hasn't faced too much defeat. So the mauling Kolkata Knight Riders got in the IPL must surely rankle. But the lanky seamer is confident of leaving the nightmare behind and look ahead.

Call it the Delhi heat or just a need for change, local boy Ishant Sharma walked into a promotional event looking dapper in the sweltering summer. Waiting for him were the winners of Pepsi's First Ball ka Captain - the best opportunity for them to get some useful tips from the man who runs down the big boys with ease.

"I think first they need to lose weight, and practise a lot," he said of the winners.

Ishant would like to quickly forget the disastrous IPL season he had with Kolkata Knight Riders and shift focus on to the T20 World Cup. Despite immense expectations on him to deliver the goods the 20-year-old seems unfazed.

"Expectations add pressure," Ishant says. "I just want to continue playing well as I have done in the past."

There is no doubt in Ishant's mind that India will defend their title successfully. After all, they are touted as one of the strongest teams in the tournament.

"Expectations are from good teams," he says. "We have a good team, so I have full faith we will win the tournament. If we can play the way we have in the past, like the way we played in New Zealand and Australia. We were champions the last time around and we hope to retain our title."

Ishant wasn't part of the Indian team that won in South Africa two years ago. So if India do win, it will be the greatest moment of his young career so far.