Table of Contents
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 ꦓbundle out Proteas for 229, gaining a lead of 27 runs only.
For the hosts, Keegan Petersen and Temba Bavuma were the top scorers. W꧅hile 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 ဣday✨ 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. 202 & 85/2, lead South Africa (22𝔍9) by 58 runs.
Scorecard –
— BCCI (@BCCI)
Congratulations to𓂃 on picking u🐎p 7 wickets with his steady bowling and variations. Good support by the others.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
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 😄
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
India will defin⛎itely t🌌ake 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)
Got to admire Shardul Thakur. Love players with that kind of attitude. Captain's dream.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
❌ DAY 2 | STUMPS
Marco Jansen (1/18) and Duanne Olivie🌳r (1/22) grabbed 2nd innings wickets as ended the day on 85/2, with a lead of 58 runs.
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA)
Kyaaaaaa Baat hai thaaaakuuuurrrr well 🐠done.. So happy🥃 to see you performing like a champion.. 7wickets haul
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh)
Lion-hearted display by Shardul Thakur. Best figures by an Indian against South Africa, thoroughly deserved his seven wickets for persiste꧂nce and intelligence. Has single-handedly brought India back into the second Test. Over to the ♉batters now.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Well done Shardul 👏👏
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25)
The lord is spitting fire at the bull ring 🔥
— DK (@DineshKarthik)
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 &꧑amp; very much an intergal member of the Test team
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07)
Shardul Thakur's 7/61 is now the best Test bowling figures for India against South Africa.
Previous best wa𒀰s R A🦂shwin (7/66) at Nagpur in 2015.
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
Lord Shardul Thakur fifer 🔥♏ what a game changer! The first fifer ofꦦ his Test career!
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB)
7 wickets for 61 runs by Shardul Thakur – the best bowling figures in Tests by a subcontinent bowler in South Africa.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad)
The 🦂Shardul Thakur show was followed by 2 early dismissalsꦯ for . The veterans have stepped up and taken control since.
Solid effort today, need an even stronger sho🌜w tomorrow 👊🇮🇳
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan)
India end Day 2️⃣ with a lead oꦕf 5️⃣8️⃣ runs with Pujara and Rahane holding fort. 🙌🏻
An extremely important Day 3️⃣ awaits.
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets)
//twitter.com/ICC/status/1478394144091422728
Shardul 7hakur 🔥
The best figures for an Indian bowler against South Africa 💪 lead by 58 runs after a thrilling day's play!
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers)
Day 2: Stumps – India lead by 58 runs. Scorecard:
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
