Aakash Chopra Admits Shardul Thakur Was The Pick Of Indian Bowlers In The 2nd Test

Jan 8, 2022 at 3:47 PM

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Aakash Chopra Admits Shardul Thakur Was The Pick Of Indian Bowlers In The 2nd Test

Aakash Chopra has acknowledged that Shardul Thakur proved him wrong with his all-around performance in the second Test between India and South Africa.

India’s 4th pacer Shardul Thakur registered figures of 7/61 in South Africa’s first innings to restrict the hosts’ lead. He then played a blazing 28-run knock in India’s second essay to help the visitors set a decent fourth-innings target for the Proteas.

Shardul Thakur is thrilled after bagging his maiden Test five-for AFP/Getty Images
Shardul Thakur is thrilled after bagging his maiden Test five-for AFP/Getty Images

Aakash Chopra Admits That He Had Raised Doubts About Shardul Thakur In XI But He Was The Pick Of Indian Bowlers In The 2nd Test

During an interaction, former opener turned commentator Aakash Chopra admitted that he had raised doubts about Shardul Thakur’s place in India’s playing XI.

He said: “Shardul Thakur has been the pick of the Indian bowlers, rather the Indian players, in the second Test match. Personally, I was one of those guys who asked questions.”

The former India cricketer also shared the reason for his apprehension.

Aakash Chopra explained:”If he is not scoring runs and is not picking up wickets in any case because if you are the fourth bowler, you don’t get the bowling. In fact, even when he took seven wickets, he bowled just one ball in the first 35 overs.”

Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra. (Photo Source: Twitter)

“So, if you are not introduced in 35 overs and you are not able to score runs, which was the case in the first two or three innings, your place in the team is in question because then you will play a fourth fast bowler.”

Before his enterprising knock in India’s second innings of the Johannesburg Test, Shardul Thakur had scored just 14 runs in his previous three knocks. Although he took a couple of wickets in the Boxing Day Test, he didn’t look too threatening with the ball.

Aakash Chopra: Shardul Thakur Turned The 2nd Test On Its Head By An Inspiring Spell Taking 7 Scalps

Aakash Chopra concluded by saying that it was pace bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur who kept Team India’s hopes alive with his all-around effort in the New Year’s Test.

He elaborated: “But then, he just turned this Test match on its head by that inspiring spell. He took seven wickets, which is a huge achievement. After that, he scored crucial 28 runs with the bat because of which India got a lead of 239. So in my opinion, Lord Thakur is absolutely phenomenal.”

Mohammed Siraj Injured Photo Credit: (Getty Images)
Mohammed Siraj Injured Photo Credit: (Getty Images)

Shardul Thakur had to shoulder additional responsibility in the Johannesburg Test due to Mohammed Siraj’s hamstring injury. The seam-bowling all-rounder rose to the occasion and caused more difficulties for the Proteas’ batters than India’s frontline pacers – Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.

After bowling 9.5 overs in the first innings, Mohammed Siraj finished with figures of 6-0-37-0 in the second and bowled at an economy of 6.16.

Shardul Thakur’s terrific spell (7/61) in the first innings brought India back in the game but as of now, he holds an unwanted record. 7/61 is the best figure in losing cause for any visiting bowler in South Africa. Shardul Thakur was on a song with the ball, as he dismissed Dean Elgar, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Temba Bavuma, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi.

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