Shardul Thakur has been a revelation in the Test cricket for India since playing in the Gabba Test against Australia earlier this year. He replicated that famous knock of Gabba in the first innings of the ongoing Test in The Oval against England.

Thakur scored twin half-centuries in the fourth Test against England and consolidated India’s position in the game. In the first innings, he scored a flamboyant fifty in just 31 balls and recorded the fastest Test fifty in England in Tests. He bettered Ian Botham’s record, which came in 32 balls.

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In the second innings, he came out to bat after Virat Kohli’s wicket. Thakur batted sensibly with Rishabh Pant as the pair added 100 runs for the seventh wicket. Thakur played some beautiful shots during his knock.

He played a hoick against Ollie Robinson which sailed over the long-on boundary for a maximum and propelled him from 43 to 49. Thakur picked the slower ball early and went with a full-blooded shot and sent the ball for a maximum.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli was jubilant in the dressing room after watching that shot from Thakur. He gave a standing ovation to Thakur for playing this lusty stroke. Kohli stood up and clapped for his number 8.

Also Read: Shardul Thakur shares why Ravindra Jadeja came out to bat at number 5

Watch the video here;

On the match’s front, India responded well in the second innings and post a mammoth total of 466/10. Rohit Sharma starred with a fine century while Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant and Shardul Thakur contributed with the fifties.

Virat Kohli and KL Rahul registered scores in the 40s as India gained a significant lead despite being 99 runs behind when their second innings started. England have a target of 366 to chase in the remaining time.