Nidahas Trophy T20: How Shardul Thakur's 'knuckle-ball' floored Sri Lanka
Follow Us26-year old, Shardul Thakur, who inspired India's win in the last T20 match against Sri Lanka said, "I have been practising (knuckleball) it for a long time. It hasn't come easy."
"While I was playing domestic cricket...I used to try a knuckle-ball," he further added.
With such passion and dedication, the newcomers are stepping up for the team as the pillars.
Shardul Thakur celebrates with teammates after dismissing Sri Lankan batsman Dushmantha Chameera. (AFP)
India beat Sri Lanka in the fourth T20I of the Nidahas Trophy by six wickets on Monday in a Twenty20 series. India had entered the tournament as favourites but to win the title.
Though, some of the star players have been dropped for the series like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav.
The way these young guns are performing, it seems they are set ready to replace some big names from the playing XI.
In a post-match presentation, Shardul Thakur talked about his performance in the yesterday's match against Sri Lanka on which he said, "Probably the way they(Sri Lanka) were going, they would have scored 165 to 170 runs. But, we got Upul (Tharanga) out."
Young Mumbaikar, who prefers local train than extraordinary lifestyle, Shardul Thakur registered his best T20 bowling figures and finished with impressive figures of 4/27.
People would often ask me when I’ll play for Mumbai and India in the train. Some would taunt me as well saying ‘why are you after cricket....Stop doing time pass’. But I knew what I had to do. - @imShard Dhool Thakur. #WhistlePodu ???? https://t.co/1mhgfOP5PZ
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 2, 2018
He gave the necessary breakthrough when he dismissed Danushka Gunathilaka (17) in the third over with Suresh Raina taking a stunning catch at midwicket.
On being asked about his career-best bowling figure he said, "I love challenges. So, I am taking it as a challenge. When other senior bowlers are missing from the team, it's me who (has) to step up."
See his training routine: