The Indian fast bowler, Shardul Thakur made his presence felt in the Indian ODI side in terrific fashion by producing a phenomenal second spell with the ball at Queen’s Park Oval in the first ODI. West Indies along Enroute a 300-plus chase when the often-memed all-rounder churned out two wickets in quick succession for the visitors.
India seemed like the clear favorite for the first ODI and their strong first-innings display only reinforced their opinion. All of their top-three batsmen scored handsome half-centuries as skipper Shikhar Dhawan led from the front with his knock of 97 off just 99 deliveries to help India post a large total of 308 at the end of their 50 overs.
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The visiting bowlers started off strongly as well, dismissing Shai Hope early in the innings. However, soon the tables started turning back in the favor of the Windies as Kyle Mayers and Shamarh Brooks added 117 runs in just 113 balls, as the former raced to 75 in just 68 deliveries. The target seemed to be well within their reach given both the spinners and pacers struggled to breach their guard.
Just when the West Indies started looking comfortable, Shardul Thakur single-handedly put India in the driver’s seat. Brooks was the all-rounder’s first victim as he was lured by a short ball outside off-stump, only to pull it straight down the throat of Shreyas Iyer at deep square leg.
WATCH – Shamarh Brook Takes A Diving Catch To Stop Shikhar Dhawan From Scoring A Ton
The 33-year-old fell just four runs short of his half-century, but ‘Lord’ Thakur was not done yet. In his very next over, Shardul Thakur delivered a wide ball which tempted Mayers into a drive only to find a thick edge and nestle safely into Sanju Samson’s gloves. From struggling, India seems like the only probable winner from this stage onwards as the required run rate has climbed to nearly 8 runs an over, thanks in big part to Shardul Thakur.
Here is the video of Shardul Thakur dismissing Shamarh Brooks:
— Richard (@Richard10719932) July 22, 2022
Here is the video of Shardul Thakur dismissing Kyle Mayers:
— Richard (@Richard10719932) July 22, 2022
Here is how the fans reacted:
Lord Shardul Thakur supremacy continues 🙇 #IndvsWI #WIvsIND #INDvsWIonFanCode #WIvIND @FanCode pic.twitter.com/VuPObnYrpv
— Anubhav K😈🇮🇳 (@Anubhav_Memerz) July 22, 2022
Shardul Thakur the all-time partnership breaker for team India.
— Shivani Shukla (@iShivani_Shukla) July 22, 2022
Shardul Thakur does it again, he gets Brooks and Mayers – both settled batsman gone. Lord is back.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 22, 2022
what is it with Shardul thakur man goes for runs but has this knack of producing wickets out of nowhere. if there ever was a man with golden arm, it will be Shardul.#WIvIND
— Sanket (@sankulyaa) July 22, 2022
Shardul Thakur once again – first Brooks and now Kyle Mayers for 75. Fantastic comeback by Thakur.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 22, 2022
This is beyond science stuff from Shardul Thakur. No stats model can explain this.
— Adish Shetty (@36__NotAllOut) July 22, 2022
THIS SHARDUL THAKUR OSCILLATES BETWEEN LORD AND LAWDA WAY TOO OFTEN
— gurudattaaa (@gurudattaispog) July 22, 2022
Pure lord stuff!! #ShardulThakur #WIvIND
— Pranjal Gupta (@Pran297) July 22, 2022
