India’s batting unit impressed collectively, helping the visitors to a huge 200-run win over the West Indies in the 3rd and series-deciding ODI at Trinidad on Tuesday. (More Cricket News)
The openers Ishan Kishan (77 runs, 64b, 8x4, 3x6) and Shubman Gill (85 runs, 92b, 11x4) put on 143 in only 19.4 overs before stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya (70 not out, 52b, 4x4, 5x6) and Sanju Samson (51 runs, 41b, 2x4, 4x6) helped India set the hosts a challenging 352-run target.
Thereafter, the West Indies struggled to find any momentum, and paceman Shardul Thakur took 4/37 in 6.3 overs as Shai Hope’s side were bowled out for only 151 in 35.3 overs. The other pace bowler Mukesh Kumar returned with figures of 3/30 while spinner Kuldeep Yadav took 2/25.
Aakash Chopra was impressed with Thakur’s performance, saying, “In the previous match itself, Shardul took three wickets. He gets very limited credit for the way he bowls. I am trying to figure out how he takes so many wickets and why he is expensive, both things going hand-in-hand.”
Among Indian bowlers, Thakur has the most number of wickets in ODIs since the 2019 World Cup. In the 32 games that he has played, he has taken 48 wickets, two more than Kuldeep Yadav, in the same number of matches. “If you are taking three wickets, the economy shouldn’t be much to worry about because 300 is going to be there as a target. He doesn’t give more than 6 runs per over, must be 6.1-6.2. The number of balls he bowls, the chances of him getting a wicket are very bright,” explained Chopra.
The former India opener then added, “We say it’s wicket-taking luck, but if you closely observe Shardul, the reason why he has the wicket-taking luck is because he bowls in those areas and he has a lot of belief. If you ever ask him how good are you? He would answer: “equal to Dennis Lillee!”. That’s the confidence he has, and I love him for that.”
With the ODI World Cup to be held in India from October 5 to November 19, and the team management is looking to give opportunities to players to cement their places ahead of the showpiece, Shardul Thakur's name could be amongst the mix.
"I am happy to have picked up eight wickets in this series. As a cricketer we wait for this opportunity for years, sometimes you perform, sometimes not.
"Whichever series I play that always boost my confidence because I am only adding experience to my career," Shardul said after the match.
"I never think that I have to play to seal my spot because I can't play with that mentality and I am not that type of player.
"If I am not picked in the World Cup squad it's their call, I cannot do much about it. I always try to perform for the team and play according to the situation of a match."
Shardul, a right-arm seamer who bats lower down the order, feels he has a role to play and that is why he has been a regular in the ODI squad in the last two years.
"I think I didn't play one one-day series, I mean I was not part of the team in the series against Sri Lanka at home. I don't know why I wasn't picked then but I have been part of all other ODI series in the last 2 years.
"I think the team expects something from me so I have been kept in the team. Whenever I get a chance to play, I feel the team has confidence in me so they gave me the chance to play," he said.
"If you look in the last few years we tend to play with a deep batting line-up, so as an all-rounder who bats lower down the order, my job also becomes important. That role is very crucial.
"Whenever I get an opportunity I try to contribute to the team's success whether it's with bat, ball or in fielding. At the end of the day I should be happy that I have made an effort, my performances should be impactful whichever department it is," he added.
(With PTI input)
