Marcus Harris Wicket In The Second Innings Proved To Be A Turning Point In The Gabba Test: Shardul Thakur

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.

Both Warner and Harris launched a calculated attack against an inexperienced Indian bowling attack, smashing boundaries for fun.

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