The Indian team completely outplayed England in all departments as they took an unbeatable 2-1 lead after winning the fourth Test at the Oval in London.
From being down and out at 191 all-out in the first innings and conceding a 99-run lead to England, India made a strong comeback and went on to win the Test on the final day by 157 runs.
While India opener Rohit Sharma is lauded for an amazing century, the former India batsman Sunil Gavaskar pointed out the importance of Shardul Thakur’s 57(36) and 60(72) in both innings of this fourth Test match.
As the visitors were reduced to 127/7 at one stage, the all-rounder bailed his team out taking India to a respectable total of 191 in the first innings and hence, the former India cricketer hailed him for his great batting performance.
“Look, at the moment… everything he touches is turning into gold. I mean, some of the shots he played were glorious… the thumping six, the straight drive. They were absolutely delightful to watch. And the confidence with which he batted, you could see. And that was most impressive about him,” Gavaskar told Sony Sports Network.
After a quick 57 with the bat, Thakur also picked 1/54 with the ball as England got a 99-run lead. Even after a 153-run partnership between Rohit-Pujara duo, India lost Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane in quick succession.
As it looked like this Indian team will be bowled out with a lead of around 220, Thakur once again proved his mettle with a superb half-century with the bat and picked two important wickets which included the scalps of opener Rory Burns and English skipper Joe Root.
“In England particularly, when the ball is moving around, he bowled an absolute beauty of a delivery. It pitched and just left the left-handed Rory Burns, who was batting well. To deceive a batsman with that kind of delivery takes something special and that's what he produced,” the Mumbai-based cricketer said.
“And then of course, there was getting Joe Root out. He's got that ball which comes in and Root, looking to run the ball down point, got that inside edge because the ball had nipped back in,” he added.
The former India legendary batsman then hailed Thakur for his batting performance and feels that the Indian team has found the perfect number 8 batsman.
“He's contributing with the bat, he's contributing with the ball. India have found just the player they need for the team at No. 8, definitely in England and perhaps in South Africa as well,” the 72-year-old concluded.
