It did not take Thakur lengthy to please his captain once more. Wiping off Rohit’s disappointment with him in his subsequent over, Thakur picked up Glenn Phillips, who edged a heave on the on-side, and was caught by Virat Kohli. Post the sport, Rohit and Thakur hugged one another, celebrating India’s 3-0 clear sweep of New Zealand.
It was a recreation that confirmed why the ‘Palghar Express’ continues to stay integral to Team India’s ODI World Cup plans, even when he could have misplaced his place within the T20 and Test and ODI codecs for now. In a match which noticed Rohit, Shubman and Conway stroke breathtaking centuries, it was the Mumbaikar who walked away with the Player of the Match award, scalping 3 for 45 in his 6 overs.
Earlier within the recreation, he chipped in with an important 25-run cameo, which took 17 balls and had three fours and a six. When he walked in, India, at 313 for six within the forty third over have been threatening to explode a dream begin by Rohit and Gill. In him, Hardik Pandya discovered the proper ally because the duo added 54 in simply 34 balls to present India a complete they may financial institution on, on a road-like pitch.
Bouncing again after going for 30 in his first three overs which went wicketless, Thakur modified the complexion of the match along with his second spell, snapping Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham‘s wickets off consecutive balls, earlier than sending again Phillips in his subsequent over.
Shardul Thakur. (PTI Photo)
Asked about Thakur’s utility within the crew put up the match, Rohit went ga-ga over the 31-year-old. “He has got the knack of taking wickets at the crucial time for us. We have seen it not just in ODI cricket but also in Tests. He’s very critical to us, and where we stand as a team. So, I just hope he keeps putting up performances like this and it will only do good to the team and give him confidence that he can come and take wickets,” the Indian captain praised.
“This guy is very smart, he has played a lot of domestic cricket and understands what needs to be done,” Rohit added. The Indian captain appreciated the best way Thakur and his different teammates deliberate the dismissal of his New Zealand counterpart Latham. “In this format, you need to use your skills and he (Shardul) definitely has them. He bowled a good knuckle ball to Tom Latham today (Tuesday), nicely planned in the middle by Virat, Hardik, and Shardul,” Rohit complimented.
With 6 wickets in three ODIs@20.83, Thakur loved a good collection towards the Kiwis, justifying the choice to play him forward of the pacy Umran Malik within the first two video games. At 6.46, his economic system charge was on the upper facet, however then two of the video games have been performed on extraordinarily flat wickets, and ‘Lord Thakur’ is thought to be a partnership-braker, a bowler who will go for wickets than look to regulate runs.
How a lot religion Rohit has in his Mumbai teammate’s skills may be gauged by the truth that the India skipper requested him to bowl the ultimate over in Hyderabad within the first ODI, when New Zealand had 20 to get, with a rampaging Michael Bracewell in full cry. Even although Bracewell smashed him for a six off his first ball, and the following one was adjudged a large, Thakur did not lose his nerve. He unleashed a leg-stump yorker that trapped Bracewell in entrance, and India had received a detailed recreation.
It helped Thakur that within the build-up to this collection, he had a great outing within the Ranji Trophy, taking six for 122 (2-68 & 3-54) to assist Mumbai document an enormous win over Assam. Excluded from India’s Test crew for the enduring collection towards Australia regardless of not being within the XI for each the Tests in Bangladesh, he hasn’t performed a T20I since February final yr.
He will not be an allrounder within the league of Hardik Pandya. Neither is he the ace within the pack like Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. Neither does he have deadly tempo like Umran Malik. What Thakur has, is a few swing, a great deal of coronary heart, and a few helpful batting abilities which may be useful at important junctures.