IND vs AUS: Shardul Thakur Reveals How he Planned Steve Smith’s Dismissal in 3rd ODI
Shardul Thakur, who came up with a match-winning spell of 3/51 in Canberra, said he is keen on making the best use of whatever opportunity he gets to represent Team India in the ODI format.
India fast bowler Shardul Thakur said he is not worried about his selection but is focused on doing well for team India whenever he gets an opportunity. Shardul Thakur was selected at the place of Navdeep Saini in the third and final ODI against Australia. He took 3 wickets and conceded just 51 runs in the 3rd and final ODI of the 3-match series at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.
Not Worried About Lack of Consistent Run in ODIs, Focused On Winning Games: Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur had a decent Indian Premier League but he wasn’t picked in the first two ODI matches and was roped in as a replacement for Navdeep Saini, who was dropped for the 3rd ODI. Thakur made an immediate impact in the final ODI as he caught a big fish – Steve Smith for 7. Smith was in a brilliant form in the last two ODIs as he smashed a 62 ball-hundreds on both the occasions.
Thakur also picked up the wickets of Moises Henriques and Sean Abbot as he finished with figures of 3/51 in his 10-over spell in Canberra.
“Selection is not in my hands. But what is more important is I should be able to get games and be in a position to help Team India win matches. My mindset also remains that way — I try to win matches. I don’t think about whether I am getting one match or I am coming in as an injury replacement. The moment you get on the ground, every player only thinks about winning,” Shardul Thakur told the press on Wednesday.
Shardul Thakur has appeared in 4ODIs of the 9 played by team India in 2020. He was in a brilliant form while playing against New Zealand but picked for only 1 ODI in the home series against Australia.
Shardul Thakur On Getting The Prized Scalp of Steve Smith
Further speaking on a big wicket of Steve Smith, Thakur said “I feel sometimes we get lucky. When Steve Smith was batting, we had planned to bowl at the stumps, and he just edged it down the leg side. So that was kind of lucky that way but yeah I would appreciate that wicket. He’s a top player and to get him early in the innings while defending 302 I think it was a huge wicket.”
As long as the match is concerned, India avoided a 3-0 clean sweep in the ODI series by winning the 3rd ODI by 13 runs at the Manuka Oval. Thanks to Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja‘s record-breaking 150-run stand and a much-improved bowling show, India managed to clinch an inconsequential yet important win as they can take the confidence into the T20I and Test series.
