Pacer bowler Shardul Thakur played a crucial role in Team India’s win over England in the fourth Test at The Oval. He scored half-centuries in both innings and took three wickets in the match including the wicket of England captain Joe Root in the second innings.
Fellow pacer and teammate Jasprit Bumrah acknowledged Thakur’s performance and said that the all-rounder had made a ‘massive contribution’ in the match.
"It (Shardul's contribution) is massive. He (Shardul) played two crucial knocks that really helped us to gain momentum, even in the first innings he changed the momentum and the momentum clearly shifted in our favor," said Bumrah in the post-match press conference.
Shardul scored a quickfire 57 in the first innings to take India’s score to 191. In the second innings, the Mumbai player added 100 runs with Rishabh Pant for the seventh wicket to help India's lead swell over the 300-run mark. He picked 1/54 and 2/22 in the first and second innings respectively to help India win by 157 runs.
"And then, we created a lot of pressure in the evening and got two early wickets. And in the second innings as well, when we got to a reasonable score but he (Shardul) took the team towards safety. And with the bowling effort as well, he chipped in with crucial wickets. His effort was massive and it is always necessary to have that fifth bowler, who gives you that comfort and does the job for the team," added Bumrah, as he was effusive in his praise for the Mumbai bowler,” Bumrah added.
Bumrah said that he was happy for Shardul and hoped he continued the good work.
"So, very happy for him and hopefully he carries on and does even better things in the future," quipped the Gujarat speedster.
Bumrah picked four wickets in the match (2/67 and 2/27) and became the fastest Indian pacer to grab 100 Test wickets. He achieved the feat in his 24th match and surpassed the legendary Kapil Dev in the process.
"I don't think much about numbers. Because it is a very good thing, I wanted to play tests, and I put a lot of effort into the tests. And I work hard as I want to play long tests, so I am very happy that the team won and I could contribute to it. So, very happy and hopefully it will continue," he said when asked about the incredible achievement.
He added that the team is happy with the fighting spirit that they displayed to win on the final day on a seemingly flat wicket.
"Sir, you gave an interesting stat, we had not thought that so many equations relating to 100 have happened. But as a team, we are very happy because we were under a bit of pressure in the first innings and after that, we fought and got the team to a respectable total,” he said.
"Bowling also started well, so gradually when the team was under pressure, we found a way, fought, and got the team to a better situation. So that fighting spirit is very satisfying and gives pleasure because nothing is easy in a Test match and no opposition will give you an easy thing,” he signed off.
The fifth and the final Test will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester from September 10.
(With PTI inputs)
