AUS vs IND | Our plan was to hold in there to tire Australia bowlers: Shardul Thakur

Image Source : AP India’s Shardul Thakur bats throughout play on day three of the fourth cricket check between India and Australia on the Gabba, Brisbane, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 17
India’s Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar on Sunday stored calm and ignored the on-field chatter to frustrate a tiring Australian bowling line-up so as to add 123 for the seventh wicket and scale back the first-innings deficit within the fourth and closing Test on the Gabba.
India received bowled out for 336 in reply to Australia’s first innings rating of 369, thus conceding a small 33-run lead on Day Three of the Test match.

“They were trying to have a conversation with me but I wasn’t answering them. Once or twice I answered them in one word but they were sort of normal questions. Even if they tried to sledge me, I just ignored it and kept on playing,” mentioned Thakur after making 67 within the first-innings.
The right-arm medium pacer, who picked three wickets within the first innings, had are available with India struggling at 186/6. He and left-handed Sundar, who made 62 after additionally selecting three wickets within the first innings, initially batted for time earlier than enjoying their strokes through the course of their 123-run partnership.
“We weren’t looking at the scoreboard. The idea was to spend some time there. We knew that their bowlers were tiring and we thought it was a matter of one hour. So if we hung in there for one more hour then probably we would be on top. So it was really important for us to hang in there, score off all the loose deliveries,” mentioned Thakur whereas chatting with the media after the tip of the day’s play.
The two haven’t batted collectively earlier than, besides twice, in a T20 and a warm-up sport. However, each communicated very properly.

“When we were playing in the middle and one of us played a rash shot then the other would just go up and tell the other, ‘okay you are losing focus. Get back to normal and do your basics’,” mentioned Thakur.
“Whenever there was break, drinks or tea we would communicate that let us slow down the game. The break is about to happen. Those were small little conversations we had.”
“When we were new, we were trying to defend a lot. As our partnership grew, we started playing shots. We knew that there is some true bounce here at the Gabba. If bowler errs on his line and length, we can put those loose deliveries away. We waited for our chance. Whenever there was a loose delivery we tried to put it away for four or take twos and threes hitting in outfield,” he added.
The 29-year-old mentioned that he was up for the chance. He recalled an recommendation from head coach Ravi Shastri at the beginning of the tour.
“When I walked in, the situation was difficult. I won’t deny that. They were on top at that time. The crowd was cheering for Australian bowlers. But I remember our coach Ravi Shastri saying something right at the start of the ODI series. He said, if you perform in this series you will be rewarded and people will love you for your performances. That one thing was also on your mind. If I perform here, people will love me and help my team.”
Australia reached 21/0 at Stumps on Day Three, swelling their result in 54.