Former Indian cricketer and cricket analyst Aakash Chopra has admitted that Shardul Thakur proved him wrong with his all-round performance in the second Test against South Africa in Johannesburg while explaining why he had doubts about his place in the Indian cricket team.
Thakur returned with the best bowling figures for an Indian against South Africa of 7/61 in the first innings to not allow the hosts to take a big lead in the match. The right-hander then hit a blazing 28-run knock to help India post a target of 240 runs against South Africa at Wanderers, Johannesburg.
The all-rounder also snared one more wicket of three fallen wickets during South Africa’s final innings, but the hosts won the second Test by 7 wickets to level the ongoing three-match Test series against Team India in Johannesburg on Thursday (January 6).
Chopra said on the Star Sports show Follow the Blues: “Shardul Thakur has been the pick of the Indian bowlers, rather the Indian players, in the second Test match. Personally, I was one of those guys who asked questions.”
Explaining why he had doubts about Thakur's place in India's playing XI, he said: “If he is not scoring runs and is not picking up wickets in any case because if you are the fourth bowler, you don't get the bowling. In fact, even when he took seven wickets, he bowled just one ball in the first 35 overs.”
Cricketer-turned-broadcaster added, “So, if you are not introduced in 35 overs and you are not able to score runs, which was the case in the first two or three innings, your place in the team is in question because then you will play a fourth fast bowler.”
Chopra signed off by saying, “But then, he just turned this Test match on its head by that inspiring spell. He took seven wickets, which is a huge achievement. After that, he scored crucial 28 runs with the bat because of which India got a lead of 239. So in my opinion, Lord Thakur is absolutely phenomenal.”
