IND vs SA Live: Shardul Thakur records best bowling figure- Just when it seemed like the game was slipping from India’s grasp, Shardul Thakur delivered a fine spell to keep India in the game on Day 2 of the IND vs SA 2nd Test. Thakur bagged seven wickets for 61 runs on Day 2, registering the best figures by an Indian bowler in India vs South Africa contest. Follow Insidesport.in for all IND vs SA LIVE updates.
South Africa looked in a commanding position with Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen stitching a fine partnership, but Thakur had other ideas, dismissing the duo. Shardul Thakur eventually clinched a five-wicket haul, his first-ever in Test cricket. After lunch, he went on to clean up the tail, returning with 7/61 also surpassing Harbhajan Singh’s bowling figures of 7/120 in Cape Town in 2010-11.
IND vs SA Live: India’s Unsung Hero Shardul Thakur swings Day 2 in India’s way with best bowling figure against SA, bags seven wickets
Best innings figures for India in SA
7/61 S Thakur, Joburg 2021/22
7/120 Harbhajan Singh, Cape Town 2010/11
6/53 A Kumble, Joburg 1992/93
6/76 J Srinath, Port Elizabeth 2001/02
6/138 R Jadeja, Durban 2013/14
Best innings figures for India vs SA overall
7/61 S Thakur, Joburg 2021/22
7/66 R Ashwin, Nagpur 2015/16
7/87 Harbhajan Singh, Kolkata 2004/05
7/120 Harbhajan Singh, Cape Town 2010/11
Shardul Thakur turned the tide in India’s favour late in session 1 on Day 2 of the IND vs SA 2nd Test. After Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen had frustrated the Indian bowlers during the first over of play, stand-in captain KL Rahul introduced Shardul Thakur into the attack to break the partnership.
IND vs SA Live: India’s Unsung Hero Shardul Thakur swings Day 2 in India’s way with best bowling figure against SA, bags seven wickets
Day 2 Lunch
Three BIG wickets for @imShard in the morning session as South Africa go into Lunch with 102/4 on the board.
Trail #TeamIndia (202) by 100 runs.
Scorecard – https://t.co/qcQcovZ41s #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/1oYxSvwMZ1
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 4, 2022
IND vs SA Live: India’s Unsung Hero Shardul Thakur swings Day 2 in India’s way with best bowling figure against SA, bags seven wickets
The Mumbai-born pacer did just that breaking captain Dean Elgar’s 20-over stay at the crease, before sending back Keegan Petersen who top-scored with a fine 62. Thakur then foxed Rassie van der Dussen with an incoming delivery to have South Africa reeling at 102/4 heading into Lunch.
Thakur followed it up with another huge wicket, breaking a budding partnership between Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne. The duo had put on 60 runs for the fifth wicket, befire Thakur trapped the latter in front for his fourth wicket of the innings.
IND vs SA Live: India’s Unsung Hero Shardul Thakur swings Day 2 in India’s way with best bowling figure against SA, bags seven wickets
While Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah spearhead the Indian pace attack, Shardul Thakur is steadily earning himself a reputation of being a partnership breaker in his short Test career so far. Virat Kohli has used Thakur in a similar role in England with similar success. The Indian pacer had got England captain Joe Root twice in the two Tests he played on the tour, while also dismissing half-centurion Rory Burns in India’s win at the Oval.
IND vs SA Live: India’s Unsung Hero Shardul Thakur swings Day 2 in India’s way with best bowling figure against SA, bags seven wickets