IPL 2018: Faf du Plessis Was Saying Me To Take The Single, But It Worked The Other Way Around: Shardul Thakur

Chennai Super Kings were very much on the backfoot when Shardul Thakur came out to bat. Their top and middle-order had made heavy weather of a relatively easy chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the first Qualifier. Chasing 140, the Super Kings were reeling at 113 for 8 in 17.5 overs when Thakur came out to bat.

With Faf du Plessis holding firm from one end all Thakur needed to do was to hold on and he did it with aplomb. In fact, the pacer struck two fours which pretty much sealed the game for the Super Kings. In the 18th over, du Plessis hit Carlos Brathwaite for three four and a six to revive the chase. But with just two wickets in hand and 23 needed off two overs, the Super Kings still had a lot to do. In the 19th over, Thakur was up against Siddarth Kaul who had dismissed Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu on successive deliveries.

And while many thought that Thakur would give the strike to his settled partner, the pacer took matter in his own hands. He hit the first two balls of the over for fours to all but seal the game for his side. He went on to hit another four on the last ball to bring the equation down to 6 off the last over. du Plessis then hit the first ball of the final over for a maximum to seal a thrilling chase and fire Super Kings in the final.

Speaking after the win, Thakur said that he was keen to contribute in the game. He also revealed how du Plessis asked him to take a single but he decided to take the attack to the opposition.

“I thought it was good and it was important for me to give some runs and so that Faf could finish it . He (Faf) was set. I kept saying to the coaches that I can bat. Last year, I got out twice while playing for Pune, when I had an opportunity. This time I ensured I finished the game,” he said.

“MS said ‘pick the balls and react’. Faf and I discussed what to do. He was saying me to take the single, but it worked the other way around. We kept getting the boundaries. That’s (entertainment) what people want. In the end, they got some. The belief was always there. If you have to win, you need to have the belief,” he added.