Shardul Thakur also accomplished something Don Bradman and Allan Border had previously accomplished in tandem while recording his fourth Test half-century.
Not by accident is Shardul Thakur referred to as “Lord.” He has the uncanny ability to make things happen when you least expect them. Remember his partnership with Washington Sundar at The Gabba when India were down and out?
How about his scorching 51 in the first innings followed by 60 in the second against England at The Oval last year? Or how about the historic seven-wicket haul in Johannesburg against South Africa? Shardul did something or the other either with the bat or with the ball to not only bring India back in the match but also win it on each of those occasions.
He has raised his hand once more ahead of the World Test Championship match against Australia. To say that he has contributed enough to put India in a winning position would be greatly exaggerating, but his rearguard 51-run knock on Day 3 has ensured that India stays in the game after being completely outplayed the first two days.
At The Oval, Shardul Thakur matches Bradman and Border’s accomplishment.
Additionally, as Shardul Thakur recorded his fourth Test half-century, he also tied a record previously held by Don Bradman and Allan Border. Think about that.
Shardul reached the fifty-run threshold at The Oval for the third time in a row, tying him with Bradman and Tim Border for the most among foreign batters.
This place holds a special place in Shardul’s heart. He has played in only two Test matches here, during which he has amassed three half-centuries and five wickets with an innings still to play. With the bat, he currently has a 56 average.
The alliance between Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur. At 152 for six, India was in serious trouble when he entered the field. The third ball of the day had just seen them lose their overnight batsman, KS Bharat.
They needed 118 more runs to avoid the follow-on. India had not only avoided the follow-on but also came very close to surpassing the 300-run threshold by the time Shardul finished.
Ajinkya Rahane (89), a comeback player, and the right-handed batter, who is now known for being a crisis batsman, put together a 109-run stand for the seventh wicket. The highest partnership in the WTC finals belongs to India.
Shardul, however, did not have a smooth start. Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia, pelted him with blows. The lanky pacer caused the ball to misbehave from a good length and struck Shardul twice in the same over.
The explosion forced the Indian all-rounder to use hand and arm guards. Cameron Green dropped him in the slip cordon very early in his innings. But he maintained his composure and began to bat well gradually.
In his 109-ball stay in the middle, he hit six fours, and in the post-lunch session, when he went for an expansive drive off Green, he was finally dismissed.
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