Shardul Thakur was the only change Rohit Sharma made in the side for the match against Afghanistan at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. Replacing Ravichandran Ashwin, Thakur did not just contribute with the ball but with a catch as well. Thakur took the catch of Rahmanaullah Gurbaz off Hardik Pandya's bowling. The top edge carried to backward square leg boundary where Thakur took the catch. He went off balance and threw the ball back in the air to come back inside and complete it.
After India’s eight-wicket win with 15 overs to spare against Afghanistan, Thakur was awarded the gold medal for taking a fantastic catch by fielding coach T Dilip. Virat Kohli who won the gold medal in the previous match gave the medal to Thakur. The bowling all-rounder was ecstatic about the recognition. He also acted as if tears were rolling down his eyes after receiving the medal.
“That catch was at a crucial period because Hardik took a chance bowling a bouncer and we got a wicket at that stage. I have been part of this team for quite a few years now. I know the boys very well. We have created an atmosphere in the dressing room where there is no such thing as juniors and seniors. Everyone has gelled in so well that you don't feel nervousness,” Thakur said in the video posted by BCCI.
Three balls after taking the catch, Thakur also dismissed Rahmat Shah. The Afghan top-order batter got out lbw to Thakur. However, the pacer did not bowl his full quota of 10 overs once again. He conceded 31 runs from his six overs and took a wicket.
Only Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav bowled their full quota of 10 overs. Mohammed Siraj was the most expensive of the lot as he conceded 76 runs from nine overs.
After two consecutive wins by a convincing margin, India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, Ahmedabad on October 14. Babar Azam-led Pakistan have also registered consecutive wins in Hyderabad. They beat the Netherlands by 81 runs followed by the record-breaking run chase against Sri Lanka.
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