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India fast bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur's counterattacking knock on the second day of the fourth Test against England provided a crucial role for the visitors at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester. Shardul's 41-run knock helped India to post 358 runs on board before being bundled out in the first innings. Shardul batted Ravindra Jadeja (20) and Washington Sundar (27). Ben Stokes got the Mumbai cricketer in the slips to bring an end to his useful knock.
After Shardul's wicket, the Shubman Gill-led side seemed in trouble as everyone expected that Rishabh Pant wouldn't be able to bat again and the side would be a batter short after a toe fracture to India's vice captain. However, defying all the odds, though, Pant stepped in to bat literally with a broken foot, and scored some key runs down the order. While Pant made his way to the crease, Shardul appreciated his grit and determination by putting a hand on his head. He also expressed his thoughts on the way the Indian vice-captain batted to add 17 more runs from his end to the team's total.
“I think it was always our plan [to try to bring Pant back]. There were quite a few efforts from the medical team. So, yes, kudos to them, They could get Rishabh back onto the field. He could bat there for a while. And whatever he did, it's of course vital runs for the team he scored. And yes, he was in a lot of pain. And we have seen him doing a lot of amazing things. And this was just another amazing thing that he did for the team today,” Shardul told reporters regarding the wicketkeeper-batter's injury update.
After being asked about his contribution with the ball, Shardul said that he does not hold enough authority to be asking for overs and a call is always taken by the captain, here Shubman Gill. He further expressed his desire to bowl a few more overs before the Stumps on Day 2, but Gill preferred other bowlers over him.
“Giving bowling is the captain's call. Not in my hands. The captain decides when to give them. I could have bowled two overs more today, but that is the captain's call. There's still three days of play left, so I will get to bowl more, and that is what I would like to do in this match. It is difficult to find rhythm, but I try to use my experience,” he explained.
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