Shardul Thakur joins cricket legends Sir Donald Bradman and Allan Border with an incredible feat at the Kennington Oval. He becomes the first Indian and third visiting player to achieve three consecutive Test half-centuries at this historic venue, showcasing his batting prowess against Australia.
Amidst the Indian team’s struggle and the early fall of the top order, Shardul exceptional innings proved pivotal. His partnership of 109 runs with Rahane not only revived the Indian innings but also prevented the possibility of a follow-on, ensuring a crucial turnaround in the match.
Shardul, Rahane Help India Avoid Follow-On
Veteran Ajinkya Rahane made a remarkable comeback in Test cricket, scoring 89 runs in his first match since January 2022. Partnering with Shardul Thakur, who remained unbeaten on 36, Rahane guided India to 260/6 at lunch on Day Three of the World Test Championship Final at The Oval.
India’s morning session began with the early dismissal of K.S Bharat by Australia’s Scott Boland, raising concerns of a swift batting collapse. However, Rahane and Thakur displayed resilience, capitalizing on Australia’s inconsistent bowling. They benefited from no-balls and sloppy fielding, enabling India to fight back and reduce the deficit to 209 runs.
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Rahane exhibited precision in his timing and technique, showcasing impressive strokeplay against full and short deliveries. Notably, he became the 13th Indian batter to surpass 5000 runs in Test cricket.
Despite enduring some blows on the forearm, Thakur persevered and displayed remarkable shots during his partnership with Rahane. Their splendid collaboration helped India avoid the potential embarrassment of a follow-on. Unfortunately, Rahane lost his wicket in the second session after lunch, departing the field after contributing 89 runs.
