Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur has revealed the crucial role Rohit Sharma played in his memorable innings at the Gabba during India’s iconic Test win over Australia in 2021. Thakur also helped Team India by adding a game-changing 123-run partnership with Washington Sundar for the seventh wicket.
Shardul Thakur came in the middle when India was struggling at 186/6, but he displayed immense composure and aggression and went on to play a stunning knock of 67 runs off 115 balls, including nine boundaries and two sixes at The Gabba, despite playing only his second Test as well.
Recently, Thakur recalled his memorable innings at The Gabba, as he revealed that Rohit Sharma used subtle sign language from the dugout to guide him during crucial moments in the fourth Test against Australia in Brisbane as well. Shardul further added that Sharma was used to hint to him when bowlers were tiring or nearing the end of their spells, helping him to time his aggression wisely and maintain focus against Australia’s formidable bowling attack during India’s 2020-21 tour as well.
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Shardul Thakur was quoted as saying by The Cricket Monthly: “Rohit was talking to me in sign language from the dugout. He would indicate when a bowler was tiring or coming to the end of his spell. Like, I think that happened when Hazlewood was coming to the end of a spell. Rohit asked me to wait and not push to play shots.”
Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur, who went unsold at the IPL 2025 Auction, also opened up a moment from the second innings, where he missed an opportunity to finish the game, as Josh Hazlewood removed him very cheaply for 2 runs, and it led to a stern word from the Indian captain Rohit Sharma as well.
“I was riding high on confidence from the first-innings performance. Unfortunately, attempting to hit over the leg side, I top-edged. I had picked two runs off a similar sort of delivery, which I had flicked off the hips. The pressure was once again on. When I headed to the dugout, Rohit scolded me for not finishing it, but I defended myself, saying I was not playing a rash shot,” he concluded.
