India all-rounder Shardul Thakur played a crucial role with the ball after being bowled out for 202 in the first innings against South Africa in the second Test.
Thakur on Day 2 (Tuesday) bagged his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket to push South Africa on the back foot in the second Test at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. The 30-year-old bowler, started by breaking the hosts' early resistance dismissing skipper Dean Elgar for 28 and it triggered the fall of wickets.
Elgar and Keegan Petersen put on 74 for the second wicket before Thakur removed the skipper. The Indian then had Petersen caught at second slip for 62. Shardul added third under his name just before lunch by dismissing Rassie van der Dussen. Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynn added 60 for the fifth wicket before becoming victims to Thakur.
Sixth Indian to claim a fifer
Shardul became the sixth Indian to claim a Test fifer in Johannesburg and legendary Sunil Gavaskar praised Thakur for his terrific bowling display. Gavaskar highlighted Thakur’s habit of getting wickets and his performances in Australia and England.
"When Bumrah and Shami were not available to play, he not only got seven wickets but also a half-century to his name. He was one of the chief architects behind India's win at the Gabba. And in England, there were occasions when the Indian team didn't post many runs. He came in and smashed half-centuries in both innings. He's also kept picking two odd wickets in each innings," explained Gavaskar on Day 2 of the ongoing second Test.
The former India opener feels that the effort Thakur puts on the field, make him a player who would be welcomed by any team in the world.
“He gives his 100 per cent”
“He is just the kind of player you want in your team. He gives his 100 per cent. He knows he is not going to always be a certainty and hence, the trying never stops. He understands what he needs to do and gives it all every time without any complaints.”
"A batter is facing Shami & Bumrah and he suddenly is up against a bowler (Shardul) who is 5-10 kmph slower. He can think to score some runs but Shardul bowls just around the off-stump and gets the ball to move away. Bavuma was down the pitch even before the ball was released and Shardul smartly bowled is short. He fully deserves his five-wicket haul as he's such a great trier," the 72-year-old former India skipper further added.
