Jasprit Bumrah: Shardul Thakur’s effort was massive

Jasprit Bumrah; (right) India pacer Shardul Thakur is ecstatic after dismissing England captain Joe Root at The Oval on Monday. Pics/AP, PTI

Opener Rohit Sharma was adjudged player of the match for his fighting 127 in India's 157-run win over England in the Oval Test, which concluded on Monday.

But there was another Mumbai cricketer in the team - Shardul Thakur - whose all-round efforts were equally appreciated by the teammates and the pundits. In fact, some critics reckoned Thakur deserved the player of the match honours.

Speedster Jasprit Bumrah termed it as a ‘massive contribution'. Thakur, 29, was playing only his fourth Test, but he showed maturity by scoring half-centuries in both innings and claiming three vital wickets in the game when it mattered the most.

"It is massive. Shardul played two crucial knocks that really helped us gain momentum," Bumrah said during a post-match virtual press conference when mid-day asked about him how important was Thakur's role in India's triumph.

In India's first innings total of 191, Thakur's contribution was 57, which he smashed in just 36 balls with the help of seven fours and three sixes. In the second essay, Thakur's 60 (7x4, 1x6) and his 100-run stand with Rishabh Pant (50) helped the visitors post a massive 466.

Thakur bowled only eight overs in England's second innings, but was instrumental in breaking the 100-run opening stand, despatching Rory Burns (50) via wicketkeeper Pant and then disturbing the furniture of in-form skipper Joe Root (36).

"He [Thakur] chipped in with crucial wickets. His effort was massive and it is always necessary to have that fifth bowler, who gives you that comfort and does the job for the team. I'm very happy for him. Hopefully, he carries on and does even better things in the future," Bumrah remarked.

Bumrah, 27, who claimed four wickets in the game - in his 24th Test - also became the fastest Indian pacer to take 100 wickets in the longer format.

He spoke about his mindset after the lunch break on the last day when he dismissed Ollie Pope (2) and Jonny Bairstow (0) in a couple of overs: "We needed to create a lot of pressure. We needed to start really well, because if suddenly you give a lot of runs, the momentum goes away and you come under pressure.

"My mindset was…if we start well, we can create enough pressure and any result is possible. We had a lot of belief and we wanted to run on that belief and take it ball by ball. Obviously, the wicket was on the flatter side. It requires a lot of patience and a lot of control, so we wanted to exhibit that and give it all."

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