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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 t𒊎he to🍷p 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 a🌱t 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 &am♎p; 85/2, lead South Africa (229) by 58 runs.
Scorecard –
— BCCI (@BCCI)
Cong🃏✅ratulations to on picking up 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 definitel🍃y take this day. S🌳A 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 Olivier (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 tha𝔍aaakuuuurrrr well done.. So happy to see you performing ﷺlike a champion.. 7wickets haul
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh)
Lion-hearted display by Sh𓂃ardul 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.
— 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 boܫwling 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
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07)
Shardul Thakur's 7/61 is now the best Test bowling figures for India against South Africa.
Previous best was R Ashwin (7/66ꦕ) at Nagpur in 2015.
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
Lord Shardul Thakur fifer 🔥 what aౠ game changer! The first fifer of 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)
T🐠he Shardul Thakur show was followed by 2 early dismissals for . The veterans have stepped up and taken control since.
Solid eff🎐ort today, need an even stronger🌠 show tomorrow 👊🇮🇳
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan)
India end Day 2️⃣ with a lea💎d of 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)
