Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur has discussed his first-class century in the Ranji Trophy 2024 semi-finals against Tamil Nadu. The 32-year-old expressed relief at achieving the three-figure milestone.
In a challenging situation where Mumbai was 106-7 in response to Tamil Nadu’s 146, Thakur and Hardik Tamore formed a crucial partnership, surpassing the 200-run mark. Their 105-run stand saw Thakur reaching his hundred in the 81st over with a six.
Addressing the media post the day’s play, the cricketer born in Palghar emphasized that his approach was simply to play bold and fearless cricket.
“I did a celebration which came to mind. Scoring a century is a big, big relief. Besides, it was very important for the team at that point of time.”
”In big games if you are scared then you tend to lose the wickets or performance might not come your way. So I might as well play with freedom and that was the whole idea when I started batting,” he was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
After Thakur’s departure, Tanush Kotian maintained the scoring momentum, concluding the innings unbeaten at 74. He remains partnered with Tushar Deshpande, and together they have compiled an unbroken 79 runs.
“It’s positive that the lower order is contributing with runs”- Shardul Thakur
Due to several of Mumbai’s key players participating in the Test series against England, Thakur anticipates some challenges in maintaining a consistent flow of runs.
“You have to see that with Yashasvi playing for India now, Sarfaraz also being selected. And Prithvi who has just come back from injury, there was a big hollow (vacuum) which was created in the Mumbai batting lineup in top order.”
”And Ajinkya probably is not in that good form right now. So there is a big hollow in the top order,” he stated.
“So it’s okay if you are going to have these kinds of seasons. But the good thing the runs are coming lower down the order. And it also shows the grit Mumbai players have and Khadoos attitude that we talk about that Mumbai has,” Thakur added.
Tamil Nadu faces a challenging task with Mumbai already amassing 353 runs.
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