IPL 2019: Shardul Thakur Explains His Thought Process While Facing Lasith Malinga For The Last Ball
May 16, 2019 at 10:56 AM
It was an epic final on the last Sunday at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The final of the Indian Premier League 2019 gone down to the wire with the margin of the victory being just 1 run between both the sides. Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur explains his thought process when he faced Lasith Malinga for the final delivery.
The Mumbai fast bowler, who can bat a bit was sent ahead of Harbhajan Singh and Deepak Chahar in the final of the tournament when the team needed 4 runs of the 2 balls. He smashed 2 runs on the first delivery while it boiled down to 2 runs off the 1 ball in the final delivery.
The plan was to keep the ball grounded:
Then came the masterclass bowling from Lasith Malinga, who bowled a brilliant slower delivery under the pressure. Shardul Thakur was Foxed by it, as he was trapped plumb in front of the wicket thus letting Mumbai Indians to mark their name on the glorious trophy.
Speaking of the same, Shardul Thakur quoted that he should have played by standing on the back foot rather than playing it on the front foot. He also added that he should have knocked down to leg side, which would have helped them get to a couple of runs.
“When I walked to the crease, the only thing running through my mind was to win. It’s (Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal) a big ground, if the ball goes in the deep, there are chances to get two runs.
The plan was to keep the ball grounded and run, just run,” Thakur recalls before adding, “I had aimed to play to the Bada (long) side of the ground. The thought process was that if the ball hits the bat, one run will come easily, but ideally, the ball should go in the place where we can get two runs.”
I have the capability to hit six – Shardul Thakur
Further, Shardul Thakur quoted that he would have gone for the big shot by removing his front foot on the way. However, he understands the fact that it is just a game and someone should lose at the end of the day.
“I should taken my left leg out of the way and tried for a big one. I have the capability of hitting a six and I go through such thoughts now. In tense moments, someone is going to lose, someone is going to win. Unfortunately, it was us who had to lose. You never know a day may come when I will score the winning run,” he points out.
Shardul Thakur feels that it was a chance to become a hero but he failed to make things fall in place for the team. Thakur hopes that he wouldn’t miss such opportunities if it comes in future.
“When the ball hit my pad, I just ran and didn’t look at the umpire. It was a chance to become a hero, but cricket doesn’t stop here. I hope next time I will not squander such a chance. I missed it, what can be done now! Bad luck, ball didn’t connect.”
Well, Shardul Thakur would have been on the headlines for quite a few days if he had delivered that for Chennai Super Kings. However, there was Lasith Malinga in the operation, who often does that for fun.