Shardul Thakur wreaked havoc on Day 2 of the
ongoing second Test against South Africa at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. The star all-rounder inspired India’s comeback with a tremendous bowling display.
Thakur, who had never taken a fifer in international cricket until this Test, went on to take a seven-wicket haul to register his career-best figures. The right-armer picked up seven scalps for 61 runs in 17.5 overs, including three maidens to help visitors bundle out Proteas for 229, gaining a lead of 27 runs only.
For the hosts,
Keegan Petersen and
Temba Bavuma were the top scorers. While Petersen smashed 62 off 118 balls, Bavuma scored 51 off 60 deliveries before Thakur dismissed both the batters.
Best innings figures for India in South Africa:
7/61 – Shardul Thakur, Johannesburg 2021/22 *
7/120 – Harbhajan Singh, Cape Town 2010/11
6/53 – Anil Kumble, Johannesburg 1992/93
6/76 – Javagal Srinath, Port Elizabeth 2001/02
6/138 – Ravindra Jadeja, Durban 2013/14
In response, India lost both openers
KL Rahul (8) and
Mayank Agarwal (23) before
Cheteshwar Pujara (35 no), and
Ajinkya Rahane (11 no) added a quick unbeaten 41-run stand to end the day at 85/2, helping the tourists take a vital 58-run lead.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
STUMPS on Day 2 of the 2nd Test.
#TeamIndia 202 & 85/2, lead South Africa (229) by 58 runs.
Scorecard –
https://t.co/qcQcowgFq2 #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/OwcK1xZ7YW — BCCI (@BCCI)
January 4, 2022
Congratulations to
@imShard on picking up 7 wickets with his steady bowling and variations. Good support by the others.
#SAvIND — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
January 4, 2022
Lord Shardul and team India believe in fair play. That's why Lord never bowls to new batsmen, he's only brought on once there is a partnership and the batsmen are set. Lord still gets them out though ?
#SAvIND — Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
January 4, 2022
India will definitely take this day. SA have to bat last.
SA's pace bowlers struggled for the right length at the Highveld. The SA dressing room could be a bit quiet today.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12)
January 4, 2022
Got to admire Shardul Thakur. Love players with that kind of attitude. Captain's dream.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
January 4, 2022
DAY 2 | STUMPS
Marco Jansen (1/18) and Duanne Olivier (1/22) grabbed 2nd innings wickets as
@BCCI ended the day on 85/2, with a lead of 58 runs.
#SAvIND #FreedomTestSeries #BetwayTestSeries #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/aoUTaYOGMq — Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA)
January 4, 2022
Kyaaaaaa Baat hai thaaaakuuuurrrr
@imshard well done.. So happy to see you performing like a champion.. 7wickets haul
#INDvsSAF @BCCI pic.twitter.com/eNJtmfHffE — Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh)
January 4, 2022
Lion-hearted display by Shardul Thakur. Best figures by an Indian against South Africa, thoroughly deserved his seven wickets for persistence and intelligence. Has single-handedly brought India back into the second Test. Over to the batters now.
#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Jn5oN0Aen0 — VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
January 4, 2022
Well done Shardul ??
@imShard pic.twitter.com/pi9873T6KE — Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25)
January 4, 2022
The lord is spitting fire at the bull ring ?
@imShard #IndianCricketTeam #SAvsIND — DK (@DineshKarthik)
January 4, 2022
Exactly 12 months ago, Shardul Thakur spent 1.5 hours bowling his heart out in the SCG nets, even indulging in a bouncer battle against Rohit Sharma, with hopes of a Test recall that wasn’t to be. A year on, he’s a cult hero & very much an intergal member of the Test team
#SAvIND — Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07)
January 4, 2022
Shardul Thakur's 7/61 is now the best Test bowling figures for India against South Africa.
Previous best was R Ashwin (7/66) at Nagpur in 2015.
#SAvIND — Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
January 4, 2022
Lord Shardul Thakur fifer ? what a game changer! The first fifer of his Test career!
#SAvIND — Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB)
January 4, 2022
7 wickets for 61 runs by Shardul Thakur – the best bowling figures in Tests by a subcontinent bowler in South Africa.
#SAFvsInd — Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad)
January 4, 2022
The Shardul Thakur show was followed by 2 early dismissals for
#TeamIndia. The veterans have stepped up and taken control since.
Solid effort today, need an even stronger show tomorrow ???
#OneFamily #SAvIND @BCCI @ICC pic.twitter.com/DBQ2bo5B2Q — Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan)
January 4, 2022
India end Day
with a lead of
runs with Pujara and Rahane holding fort. ??
An extremely important Day
awaits.
#PlayBold #TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/FSp6eP8ipI — Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets)
January 4, 2022
Shardul 7hakur ?
The best figures for an Indian bowler against South Africa ?
#TeamIndia lead by 58 runs after a thrilling day's play!
#SAvIND #OrangeArmy pic.twitter.com/V8h4HM3ESP — SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers)
January 4, 2022
Day 2: Stumps – India lead by 58 runs.
#SAvIND Scorecard:
https://t.co/EDji9NpF9p pic.twitter.com/1kxVOf1w5F — CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
January 4, 2022
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