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'He was bowling well': Shardul Thakur narrates how he struck Nathan Lyon for six to score maiden Test fifty

'He was bowling well': Shardul recalls his six off Lyon to score Test fifty

Updated on: Jan 26, 2021, 15:46:28 IST
By , New Delhi
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India allrounder Shardul Thakur had a huge task in front of him when he came out to bat on Day 3 of the 4th Test against Australia in Brisbane. India had goen down six for 186, and were still trailing Australia by 183 runs. Shardul had to stitch a partnership with debutant Washington Sundar to take India close to Aussies' first-innings total.

India's Shardul Thakur bats during play on day three of the fourth cricket test between India and Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard) (AP)
India's Shardul Thakur bats during play on day three of the fourth cricket test between India and Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard) (AP)

In a match that saw many heroic performances from India, Shardul's innings of 67-runs was one of the most important ones. It was his maiden Test fifty, and it gave India a chance to restrict Australia to a total that they could chase in the 2nd innings.

But one of the most-talked-about moments from Shardul's innings was his six off Nathan Lyon which completed his half century. In a recent interview with Sports Today, the batsman recalled what went down.

“I was defending a lot against Nathan Lyon and at some point, he was going to bowl a flighted delivery. Earlier he was bowling nice, flat, and away from me and so I couldn't score runs off him.

"He had three fielders at the back on the leg side and so I couldn't slog him as well. But the whole idea was to keep moving my feet, like step out, sometimes go back, use my feet well against him so that I get the best chance to navigate against his bowling. He was bowling well,” he added.

“I had no plans to hit him for a six but as the ball was delivered, I just tried to step out and while doing so I found the ball in my slot. I had played few deliveries earlier as well, so I thought it was better to go with the shot and complete my fifty and send him off the park,” he further said.

India won the match by 3 wickets to script a memorable win at Gabba and win the series 2-1

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