4th Test: How pace duo Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur's nine worked out just fine

Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj. Pics/AP, PTI

Although Shardul Thakur (4-61) looked on course for a maiden five-wicket haul, the honours went to Mohammed Siraj (5-73) after Australia were bowled out for 294 in the second innings on Day Four yesterday. India were 4-0 at stumps, chasing a target of 328.

Thakur needed a partner in crime and on Monday that was Siraj. The best part about Siraj on this tour is that he has demanded the ball. He has not been afraid of the situation and has found another level to rise whenever the match has hung in the balance.

On Day Four, Marnus Labuschagne was threatening to take the game away from India. The Australian No. 3 batsman raced to 25 from 22 balls, but Siraj took it up as a
challenge. Three balls later, Siraj found the extra zip off the pitch to knock over Labuschagne. In his next spell, he removed Steven Smith (55). Test matches are about seizing the big moments and Siraj had done it twice, finishing with figures of 19.5-5-73-5.

Thakur on the other hand, has never said ‘no' to a game of cricket. In 2016, after landing in Mackay, in far north Queensland, he was asked by the team management if he wanted to play for India ‘A' the following day. Thakur's reply was a firm ‘yes'. Close to 48 hours earlier, he boarded a Miami-bound flight from Trinidad. After that he headed to London, then Delhi. From the Capital he took a flight to Mumbai before boarding another plane to Singapore. From there, he flew to Brisbane before finally reaching Mackay. He had travelled close to 20,000 kms across 15 different time zones and had every right to feel tired, but that would have been a mere excuse. Thakur just wanted to bowl and enhance his chances of playing for India.

Thakur finally got his chance in 2018 but it lasted just 10 balls due to an injury. Now, in his second Test in Brisbane, the Mumbai pacer is one of the leading candidates to claim the man of the match award.

On the fourth morning, Thakur was introduced into the attack to stem Australia's flow of runs. David Warner (48) and Marcus Harris added 40 from seven overs, and India desperately needed a breakthrough. Thakur bowled an economical seven-over spell and bounced out Harris for 38. Later in the day, he returned to dismiss the well-set Cameron Green (37) and Tim Paine (27). Nathan Lyon became his fourth scalp when the Aussie off-spinner spooned a catch in the cover region. Over the past four days, Thakur has proved his credentials with both ball and bat in the longest format. It's no wonder that Virat Kohli tweeted "Thakur, tula parat maanla [hats off to you again]".