The fourth Test between India and England at The Oval began with many fans wondering: “Why isn’t R Ashwin playing? Why not Ashwin on Shardul Thakur?” Ended with: “Why is Thakur not man of the match?”
Such was the impact of India’s latest all-rounder, whose performance, in captain Virat Kohli’s words, was the real difference in the match India won by 157 runs.
Figures First: Thakur made 57 for 36 in the first innings, after making 117 for 6. He scored 60 runs in the second innings at 72, adding crucial runs in a 100-run partnership with Rishabh Pant. India’s lead increased. Thakur got three wickets with the ball: Ollie Pope, England’s highest scorer in the first innings, and his best batsman Joe Root in the second. No one could have asked for a better performance than the fourth seamer and No.8.
“Rohit’s innings was excellent, but the impact performance from the lower-middle order, the gap in Shardul’s half-century, and a counterattack in the second innings frustrates the opposition. What Shardul has done in this game will be remembered for a long time. They were looking to ban us but he was excellent,” Kohli said in the post-match presentation.
Thakur played the first game, but later missed due to injury. He was dropped from the third Test, which India lost. Even as there was a lot of talk about the team combination, Thakur made a significant contribution on the very first day itself. Thakur came to the crease and India were quickly shattered for 117 for 6. He scored runs on the front foot and back foot with real strength. He pulled up and fluttered with the same speed.
Thakur’s aggression and defiance when the chips were down, and the ball was still swinging, was refreshing. Perhaps the question arises as to why he was not selected to play in the previous Test at Headingley, which ended in disaster for the visitors. The Lord’s win forced India to go with an unchanged XI at Leeds, but Thakur was the first choice of the series opener. It’s not like he won’t be in the XI for the fifth and final Test in Manchester.
If the first innings was an all-out offensive from a losing position, Thakur played with calculated aggression in the second innings. Strokeplay was even better: The straight drive reminded many in the social sphere – at risk of being blasphemed – Sachin Tendulkar. A backfoot punch between mid off and cover off Moeen Ali was another stroke to remember. Thakur’s strokeplay also betrayed a brilliant batting mind: he showed the importance of batting in the ‘V’ in these conditions, always targeting the areas below ground.
Would you believe it if we say that Thakur averages only around 17 in first-class cricket?
And while he was not exceptional with the ball, he did work as a fourth seamer. Overall, Thakur’s performance ensured that the discussion about team selection came to an end.
“We never turn to analysis, statistics and numbers. We know what we need to focus on and we make collective decisions as a group. We decide on what suits us best and we believe we can win Tests with it. Whatever the noise outside, it doesn’t bother us,” Kohli said.
Not only this, in the absence of Hardik Pandya, many including former greats have started looking at Thakur as a real all-round option.
“Suppose you want to keep Shardul, then all-rounder Jadeja could be missed. Kohli is not getting more overs than Jadeja and Shardul can contribute with bat and ball as we have seen in this match. And then you have four quality bowlers. Shardul can bat well at number seven. espncricinfo.
And Thakur’s performance could not have come at a better time, as India’s selectors are all set to announce the squad for the ICC T20 World Cup. ‘Lord’ Shardul Thakur could be the X-factor in that team as well.
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