The ignored Shardul Thakur gives India a reason to celebrate happiness, claims that Docket and Brook have wickets in succession

He is called ‘Lord’ for a season! Shardul Thakur wasn’t shown any trust by India captain Shubman Gill until he claimed two wickets on successive balls in the 55th over of the second innings in the India vs England 1st Test. He had bowled a mere 6% of India’s total overs until then.

Shardul Thakur gives India hope

Shardul came on with England at 253/2 and needing just 118 runs to win and claimed the wicket of Duckett, who had scored 149, and Harry Brook, who had scored 99 in the first innings.

No doubt Shardul wasn’t economical, but he was never given a prolonged spell to get into the rhythm. When all the chips were down and Gill had no one to go to, he had to hand the all-rounder the ball. In a bid to score more, Duckett hit a full ball outside off into the hands of cover and Nitish Kumar Reddy made no mistake.

Who knew the very next ball, Brook would edge a ball way down the leg and Rishabh Pant would take a diving catch? All of a sudden, England were 253/4. England’s quick scoring was stopped, and India started to believe they could win. All because, although late, ‘Lord’ arrived in Headingley.