‘Wicket falls if you just bowl’ – R Ashwin hails ‘Lord’ Shardul for his heroics at Johannesburg

The Day 2 of the second Test between India and South Africa saw as many as 11 wickets fall. While the Proteas’ skipper Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen challenged the Indian bowlers for the most part of the first session, it was Shardul Thakur who shined with the ball. As Thakur worked his magic, R Ashwin hails ‘Lord’ Shardul and couldn’t resist asking him how whenever he bowls, wickets start tumbling.

The second day of the second Test was a test for the Indian bowlers as the batsmen couldn’t notch-up a big total in their first inning. Team India were bundled up on the score of 202 and the bowlers had the task of restricting the Proteas before they could get a big first inning lead. Shardul Thakur with his golden arm came all guns blazing at the South African line-up and whenever it looked like a partnership was building, Thakur broke it with ease.

R Ashwin hails ‘Lord’ Shardul

The all-rounder claimed 7 wickets and retained best figures for an Indian bowler in South Africa. Indian wizard R Ashwin was impressed with Thakur and he hailed ‘Lord’ Shardul for his wicket-taking ability every time he comes to bowl. The Indian spinner was caught on mic asking Thakur, “Who are you? Wicket falls if you just bowl…”

Shardul Thakur certainly has a golden arm as the all-rounder has a knack of breaking partnerships. He led the bowling attack on Day 2 and kept chipping in with wickets at regular intervals. The accurate bowling by Thakur didn’t allow the South African team to get a big lead in the first inning. The Proteas only got a lead of 27 which is not as significant.

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The Indian openers looked good but KL Rahul fell early and was soon followed by Mayank Agarwal. Cheteshwar Pujara came in with a positive intent and scored quickly while Rahane looked cautious. India has got a lead of 58 runs and would look to consolidate their position with a big partnership. It is to note that both Pujara and Rahane’s career is on the line and they will definitely try to play an inning to remember.