WTC Final | Twitter reacts as Shardul Thakur’s exquisite straight drive reminds fans of prime Sachin Tendulkar
When batters play some specified shots, those strokes remind fans of some of the greatest players who ever lived. Straight drive was Sachin Tendulkar’s signature shot, and the manner in which Shardul Thakur played against Pat Cummins in the WTC final at The Oval left everyone in utter disbelief.
After taking the prized wicket of Steve Smith with the ball, Shardul Thakur made headlines in the WTC final against Australia by hitting a spirited knock when India required him the most. His 109-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane saved India from humiliating total in reply of Australia’s 469 in the first innings. In his 109-ball 51, he scored six glorious fours, and the one which stood out the most came during the 68th over of the day, bowled by Australian skipper Pat Cummins.
It was an overpitched delivery by Cummins towards the stumps, which Thakur picked up perfectly and played straight past the bowler for four runs. While hitting the shot, the way Thakur managed to balance in his stance let everyone surprised, as it looked like a picture-perfect straight drive. Even Ricky Ponting was amazed to see Shardul play a shot like that, and he could not restrict himself from calling it ‘the shot of the day’.
Fans were delighted to see Shardul stepping up under pressure situations, and many had compared him to Sachin Tendulkar, who used to play the straight drive more beautifully than anyone else. Not to forget, Shardul was the one who donned India’s No. 10 jersey after Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement.
Sachin sir must be proud!
— Spider Rashid (@RashidSpider) June 9, 2023
What a pose!
Let's frame Shardul Thakur's perfect straight drive. pic.twitter.com/Xq2ApCOfbQ
— Roydo 2.O (@roydobackup) September 2, 2021
As it is!
That straight drive from lord @imShard reminded me the exact straight drive of sir @sachin_rt!! Lord 🫡🫡#lord #shardul #thakur #WTC2023 #INDvsAUS
— Nilesh Khimani (@NileshKhimani1) June 9, 2023
No one can macth him!
Shardul thakur’s straight drive>>>any other batter in the world💀👊🏻🤩
— Cristiano (@cristianoXkohli) June 9, 2023
Brilliant!
That straight drive from Lord Shardul Thakur. Absolute 🔥#WTC23 #WTCFinal
— Harshal 🏏 (@Harshal_de) June 9, 2023
Gonna frame this shot!
Show them straight drive of shardul thakur
— Ashish T (@ashishtamboli96) May 5, 2023
Yesssss!!!
It's time to officially name Kennington oval as lord shardul thakur oval
— Vedant Tipnis (@vedantggmu) June 9, 2023
He played perfect!
Best average for an Indian player at the Oval. Lord Shardul Thakur. pic.twitter.com/pRXRLl7nwf
— Rahul Sharma (@CricFnatic) June 9, 2023
We love Lord!
Haa bhai kon ASHWIN 👀
— not one (@Ashishh_pal) June 9, 2023
LORD SHARDUL 🫡#lordshardul#shardulthakur #INDvsAUS #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/fROsCWY9gt
Great knock!
Shardul Thakur dismissed after a brilliant knock of 51 runs, India lost the 9th wicket#INDvsAUS #WTCFinal #WTCFinal2023
— Rakesh Kashyap (@RakeshMishra00) June 9, 2023