India set a target of 257 for the hosts at Headingley. Though the middle order failed to score runs on a tricky track, the lower order batted sensibly and made sure to take the team to a respectable total.
Shardul Thakur”s blitz played an important role in the process as his quickfire 22 of just 13 helped India go past 250. His knock included two big sixes as he took Ben Stokes for a carnage at Leeds.
It is to be noted that Shardul”s six is the first one from India in this series. Bhuvi and Shardul on their return to the squad really displayed brilliance with the bat and the focus now shifts towards their bowling. The initial overs from the duo can make a difference and with wrist spinners in the camp, the contest can really be a thrilling one.
It is to be noted that Shardul”s cameo with Faf du Plessis in the Qualifier 1 earlier this year paved way for the Chennai Super Kings to gain a direct entry to the final.
Twitter went wild for his knock and this is how it reacted:
Good contributions from Shardul and Bhuvi. Given the bowlers something to bowl at. Kuldeep and Chahal's spell will be the key. I am backing Chahal to do well today #ENGvIND
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 17, 2018
Take a bow, Bhuvi and Shardul. You guys did well to take it to a respectable total. Kuldeep and Chahal can take over from here and win it. Bhuvneshwar's first spell will be very important. 70-30% to India. #ENGvIND
— Jaanvi🏏 (@ThatCric8Girl) July 17, 2018
Shardul Thakur at 4 please!#ENGvIND
— Sudhanshu' (@whoshud) July 17, 2018
Shardul Thakur has given himself some more runs to bowl at. This total might just be par on this surface
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 17, 2018
Shardul Thakur is at it again!
This time at Headingley.. 😁#ENGvIND— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 17, 2018
Shardul Thakur is only the 2nd player to hit a SIX for India in this ODI series. Rohit Sharma hit four sixes in the first match in Nottingham. #ENGvIND
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) July 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/FarziCricketer/status/1019235016503508992?s=19
https://twitter.com/Holdthedoor19/status/1019236215676076033?s=19
If i find Shardul travelling in Mumbai local, i am gonna touch his feet. 🙏#ENGvIND
— ً (@TheRobustRascal) July 17, 2018
Reminding you what Shardul said after IPL playoffs this year where he did hit 3 fours to take CSK home
"I always told the coach I can bat well and wanted him to promote me"— Vasanth 💫 (@gully_point) July 17, 2018
Shardul Thakur whatta sixes were those #INDvENG
— Deep (@Being_cricgeek2) July 17, 2018
Bravo Shardul Thakur 👌🏻
Here Comes The 250+ For Team India #ENGvIND #INDvENG
— Dr Khushboo 🇮🇳 (@khushbookadri) July 17, 2018
Indians who have hit sixes in this ODI series –
Rohit Sharma
Shardul Thakur#ENGvIND— Nikhil Mane 🏏🇦🇺 (@nikhiltait) July 17, 2018
#EngvInd shardul thakur the saviour
*Entire INDIA right now*😍🙏🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/GhEyVVmXIC— VedaCharya (@IndiaKeSports) July 17, 2018
Shardul thakur should bat higher than ms dhoni 😂😂#ENGvIND
— Aslam Malik (@bajrangi_Aslam) July 17, 2018
Shardul Thakur should bat at number 4 – Gambhir #ENGvIND
— Gagan Thakur (@gagan_gt) July 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/akarryan/status/1019235398034190336
Wondered why Shardul Thakur was holding a Bat and Today I got the answer. Only the 2nd Indian to hit a Six in this series and what a INVALUABLE 22*(13)!#ENGvIND #ENGvsINDhttps://t.co/wJBYaGnC42
— M S Krishna Prateek (@mskp_29) July 17, 2018
What an inclusion #ShardulThakur has been 😉 and he is still to roll his arm in this match…. PS: He is only a bowler, lets not make him an all-rounder :p
— Mikkhail Vaswani (@MikkhailVaswani) July 17, 2018
