Marcus Harris Wicket In The Second Innings Proved To Be A Turning Point In The Gabba Test: Shardul Thakur
Published - 26 Jan 2021, 04:08 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:40 AM
Indian seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur has reckoned that the dismissal of Australian opener Marcus Harris in the second innings proved to be a turning point in India’s eventual three-wicket win at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Having taken a first-innings lead of 33, Australia got off to a brilliant start in their second innings as the opening duo of David Warner and Marcus Harris put together a rapid 89-run-stand.
Eventually, it was Shardul Thakur who proved to be the partnership breaker for the visitors. After having troubled Marcus Harris with a series of fullish length deliveries, Thakur took the southpaw by surprise as he dished out a proper bumper, one that Harris could only manage to fend, thereby giving an easy catch to Rishabh Pant.
Harris’ wicket, as Shardul revealed, gave the bowling attack a much-needed fillip, and it reflected in their performance as Washington Sundar and Mohammed Siraj claimed the wickets of David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, and Matthew Wade to reduce Australia from 0/89 to 4/123.
“We were expecting them to come hard at us and they did .They got a really good start. The day ended with six overs and next day we came in fresh. Even then they started hitting, so their plan was clear — to score runs quickly and set up big target,” Shardul Thakur said on “Sports Today’
“But at that point of time as bowler I felt that if I take a wicket here, may be, the new batsman would not score at the same rate. The whole idea was to get that one ball and get anyone of them out. If I remember my spell I had bowled many good length deliveries to Marcus Harris, may be I thought it’s time to bowl him a bouncer,” Thakur explained.
“I tried and he got out. After that our bowlers got hopeful, they got energetic and excited and the game started changing a bit again,” he added.
Shardul Thakur claimed three more second-innings wickets to take his overall match tally to seven. The all-rounder had a brilliant outing as he backed up his performance with the ball with a disdainful 67 in the first innings during a match-defining 123-run 7th wicket stand with debutant Washington Sundar.
Also Read: Facing Fast Bowlers Is Easier Than Getting A Seat In Mumbai Local: Shardul Thakur
