Shardul Thakur has been the most successful bowler for India on the second day as he completed his first five-wicket haul in Tests. India endured a huge blow on the Day 1 of the Johannesburg Test as Mohammed Siraj was forced to leave the field at the closing stage of the play. It looked like he pulled his hamstring muscle as the pacer Mohammed Siraj hobbled off the ground with the physio accompanying the seamer.
Mohammed Siraj, however, was back on the ground on Day 2 and overall, bowled 9.5 overs and was wicketless. However, bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur ensured that the team doesn’t miss Mohammed Siraj’s services, as he filled in perfectly for the seamer.
Shardul Thakur Registers Maiden 5 Wicket Haul, Picks 7/62 In South Africa’s 1st Innings In Ongoing 2nd Test Against Proteas
The 30-year-old started off by providing the much-needed breakthrough to his side in form of Dean Elgar as the South Africa captain was caught-behind on 28. He then removed another set batter in the form of Keegan Petersen and dismissed Rassie van der Dussen to pick his third wicket of the day.
When Shardul Thakur led his teammates off the field, he had 7 for 61 next to his name, and India had limited South Africa’s lead to 27. Shardul Thakur bagged seven wickets and leaked 61 runs to record the best-ever figures by an Indian against South Africa in the longest format of the game.
Shardul Thakur was on a song with the ball, as he dismissed Dean Elgar, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, and Temba Bavuma, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi. This was also Shardul Thakur’s maiden five-wicket haul in international cricket.
Eric Simons: ‘Less Illustrious’ Shardul Thakur Takes Responsibility When Team Needs It
Impressed with his performance, former India bowling consultant Eric Simons said it is Shardul Thakur’s body language and willingness to step up, which makes him successful. The comments by Eric Simons came during the Lunch break show.
“He is the less illustrious of the quartet. As a person, I’ve spoken a lot about in terms of his own self confidence but also his willingness to accept responsibilities,” said Simons.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling consultant Eric Simons reckons that all-rounder Shardul Thakur has incredible self-belief, which makes him a special talent.
“I wondered what was going to happen today with Siraj being injured. He did bowl a few but not with the same venom. He (Thakur) didn’t bowl any better than the chaps upfront but he got the reward and this is the kind of personality we see in him,” he added.
The former India bowling consultant noted Shardul Thakur’s contributions to the side in overseas series against Australia and England last year. He has so far played 6 Tests picking 23 scalps averaging 19.17 besides amassing 204 runs with 3 fifties averaging 25.5.
He has also played 15 ODIs and 24 T20Is, picking up 22 and 31 wickets, respectively. Shardul Thakur grabbed 55 wickets in 48 matches for the four-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings.
“Why he is part of the team, why is he such a popular member, whether it is with his bat, he’s won you in Australia and England. Coming in at tough situations, he got the wicket but he actually bowled really well to get those wickets, understood the surface. Bit short initially but got fuller and found the edges. So this is the personality is exactly what I expected, take responsibility when your team needed you the most,” added Simons.
Shardul Thakur has been the most successful bowler for India on the second day as he completed his first five-wicket haul in a Test inning. Shardul Thakur’s seven-wicket haul however couldn’t stop South Africa from taking a 27-run first-innings lead.
India started their second innings positively and was 85 for 2, ahead by 58, at stumps on day two of the second Test in Johannesburg. India has taken a lead of 179 runs as they are placed at 206/6 on the 3rd Day. Shardul Thakur is unbeaten on 14 while under fire Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara scored the much-needed fifties.