As India prepares to face England in a five-Test series, Shardul Thakur can’t help but remember the 2021 tour where he made a big impact. The last time India and England played Tests, the series ended in a 2-2 draw and Thakur was the star of the fourth Test at the Kennington Oval where India won by 157 runs. Now back with the team, Thakur looks back on that series with a smile.
“The 2021 series was special. We won a couple of matches and that first one was in our grasp till the rain intervened on the last day. But we won at Lord’s and the Oval. Returning for the fifth Test the next year we ended up 2-2. That series is one of the best memories of my career,” he said.
At the Oval Thakur stepped up when the team needed him the most. Coming in during a tough situation he scored 57 off 36 in the first innings to get momentum going. In the second innings he added 60 off 72 and took two important wickets including England’s then captain Joe Root as England chased down their target.
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India took a 2-1 lead after that win at the Oval but the fifth Test got postponed due to COVID and was played the next year which England won and levelled the series.
Thakur spoke about the challenges of playing in England, “It’s always exciting to play here. The weather is the biggest challenge; it can be cloudy or sunny and you have to change your game quickly, whether batting or bowling.”
He also feels good about the new Indian team especially with a few young players coming in. “It’s refreshing to see fresh energy in the team. A few young guys are stepping up which is always exciting. England has a different style of play now but we are ready to surprise them. Winning a series away is special and it would be huge for our country if we can do it,” Thakur added.
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As India moves on from the retirements of Rohit and Virat, players like Shardul Thakur will be key in keeping the team’s strength and experience in tough conditions.
