Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur has opined that his heroics in the memorable Brisbane Test against Australia in 2020-21 is probably the highlight of his career. Thakur returned with figures of 3-94 in the 24 overs he bowled in the first innings.
However, more importantly, he scored a fine knock of 67 runs and added 123 runs with Washington Sundar, who scored 62 runs, for the seventh wicket. It was a crucial alliance between the two batters as India was struggling at 186-6 after Australia posted 369 runs in the first innings.
Furthermore, the medium pacer returned with impressive figures of 4-61 in the second essay.
“What I did in Brisbane is probably the highlight of my career, contributing when it mattered the most. We are going to Australia again, the team is not announced, but I am hoping to see my name on the list. Mentally, even in these Ranji games, I am preparing for Australia also,” Shardul Thakur asid in an interview with Hindustan Times.
Thakur said he wants to be part of India’s Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia.
“Honestly, I badly want to go to Australia, I want to do something there. A lot of the international teams have failed to win back-to-back series there but this team could be the one to win three-in-a-row, so I want to be part of it,” Thakur added.
On the other hand, Thakur revealed that former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri gave him a lot of confidence on the previous Australia tour.
“I remember that series right from the conversation I had with (coach) Ravi Shastri in the flight. I was (only) part of the ODI squad, but played all three formats and ended up playing the last Test also. The coach had a feeling – he randomly called me in the flight and said, ‘Shardul, you are part of the ODI team but I am telling you, you are not leaving Australia, you are staying till the last day and I have a gut feeling you will make some difference on the tour,’” Thakur said in the same interview.
“We have the last two series wins in Australia; they know they can’t underestimate this Indian team. Also, this Indian team is going to be full of surprises. In 2018-19, we saw different individuals stepping up in different games, the same in the last series. Cricket will be played hard. It will be a tough series for both the teams,” concluded Thakur.
The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.
