Former Indian batsman-turned-cricket analyst Aakash Chopra heaped praise on Shardul Thakur after his mind-blowing innings against England in the ongoing fourth Test at The Oval on Thursday (September 2).
The 29-year-old hit the England bowlers to all parts of The Oval on day 1 to smash the second-fastest half-century by an Indian and the fastest Test half-century on English soil to leave one and all in awe for his batting on Thursday.
The right-hander took 31 balls to score his second Test fifty laced with 7 fours and 3 sixes before being dismissed by Chris Woakes for 57 off 36 balls on Thursday at The Oval. His explosive innings helped India to post 191 runs in the first innings after a top-order collapse against England.
Following his entertaining knock at The Oval, Chopra said Shardul is putting himself in contention for a spot in India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2021 squad as an all-rounder – an alternative for Hardik Pandya.
Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “He is not just scoring runs. He is asking you to pick him for the World T20 because he is bringing you that option. You obviously miss Hardik Pandya but if he is not there, Shardul Thakur is presenting himself as an option.
Hardik might be a better batsman than him, no doubt, but he is a better bowler than Hardik. So he is saying that if you are searching for a package, he could be the guy.”
The commentator also insisted that Thakur's knock at The Oval was not a one-off performance, saying the pacer has always risen to the occasion whenever he was given the opportunity.
Chopra noted, “When Rishabh Pant got out, I thought we are gone. But after that Shardul comes and shines. He did a fantastic job. Lord Shardul, again and again - Brisbane, he scored the runs. He was actually net bowler in that series but played the match, scored the runs, and took wickets as well.”
He concluded, “Then in Nottingham, he got Root out in the first innings and Buttler in the second innings. He gives you the important wickets. Here you were 127/7 and he gave you a half-century in which he smashes the England bowlers quite a bit. You reach 191, it is just down to Shardul Thakur once again.”
