The legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has heaped praise on Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur for the excellent bowling display on the fourth day of the final Test match against Australia. Siraj picked the maiden fifer in Test cricket while Thakur added a four-wicket haul in his tally.
Sachin Tendulkar, taking to Twitter, especially lauded Shardul Thakur’s all-around contribution. Apart from bowling, he had played a gritty knock for India in the first innings of the fourth Test. He stitched up 100 runs partnership with Washington Sundar while in the process garnered maiden half-century (67) in Test cricket. Tendulkar said that Thakur’s all-round performance has kept the series alive.
“Well done Mohd. Siraj on your 1st fifer and Shardul Thakur on your important all-round performance which has kept the Test rather interesting so far and more importantly, the Test series alive,” Shardul Thakur Tweeted.
Well done Mohd. Siraj on your 1st fifer and @imShard on your important all round performance which has kept the Test rather interesting so far and more importantly, the Test series alive. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/tXmLP2c9FN
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 18, 2021
Shardul Thakur from net bowler to the significant contributor in Tests:
In India’s first innings in the third Test, after the loss of six wickets, it was deemed that Australia will move on with a lead for the second Test. But Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar downplayed all the talks and speculations as they went on to stitch the highest partnership for the seventh wicket for India in the Gabba.
Against the best bowling attack, comprising of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood, Thakur dictated his own terms, hitting them for eye soothing cover-driver and even for sixes. Both dominated Gabba and reduced the host’s lead from three-digit to two-digit.
After showcasing the masterpiece with the bat, Thakur also got the better off Australian’s with his fast bowling
On the fourth day, when it was looking that Australia was snatching away the game with their opening partnership, Shardul Thakur came to give a breakthrough. He picked the wicket of Marcus Harris. Then when Tim Paine and Cameron Green were stitching a crucial partnership, he picked their wickets.
More importantly, he was with the team as the net bowler but the injuries woes to India’s premier pacer gave him the opportunity and he has grabbed it from both the hands.