India pacer Shardul Thakur shined brightly on his Test comeback against Australia in Brisbane, as he picked 7 wickets and made 69 runs including a knock of 67, helping India earn a historic and series-winning victory.
Thakur and Mohammed Siraj were both closing in on a maiden five-wicket haul during Australia’s second innings at the Gabba. Speaking to Sports Today, Shardul Thakur said he was genuinely wishing Mohammed Siraj took the 5-wicket haul and paid tribute to his late father, who had passed away before the Australia tour began.
In a heartwarming moment, Shardul was seen elated for Siraj who was leading the team off the ground after picking up his maiden 5-wicket haul. Siraj also topped the wicket-taking charts for India with 13 scalps in 3 matches.
"People were watching us that we're both on 4 wickets apiece [Siraj and Thakur]. We were both chasing a [maiden] 5-wicket haul. When I was bowling, all I could think of is if I take 5 wickets then it will be for the team. To be honest, I was wishing from the bottom of my heart that Siraj gets his 5-wicket haul because it was a very emotional time for him," Thakur said.
"When the catch came to me, I was praying to God that this catch should not be dropped at any cost. It had rained as well before so the outfield was wet too, so I was praying that I must take the catch because that would complete his 5-wicket haul as he was so fulfilling his father's dream of him playing for India.
I had Siraj's words about his father in mind, who was watching us from up above, and he would be very happy after the 5-wicket haul. When he completed his five-for, I was genuinely very excited for Siraj. It was his maiden 5-wicket haul in Tests and it was a dramatic end to the innings, I was extremely stoked for him," Thakur further added.
Siraj had opted to stay back in Australia despite BCCI offering to fly him back to India for his father’s funeral. Shardul revealed that he had seen the work put in by Siraj and what he had endured after learning of his father’s demise, first hand.
"When we reached Australia, we had set camp in Blacktown [city in Greater Western Sydney, Australia]. His father was quite ill and hospitalized and was fighting for his life. Then in a few days’ time, his father passed away and the entire Australia series was quite emotional for him. He couldn't even fly back home," Thakur added.
"He wasn't even a part of the ODI and T20I squads, but still he was practicing with the team throughout. The reality is, the practice hours are just 2 or 3 hours per day, you have to go back to your room. It was very difficult and a very emotional time for him,” Shardul signed off.
(Sports Today inputs)
