Fast-bowler Shardul Thakur played a match-winning cameo against West Indies in the third One-Day International (ODI) at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Thakur came in to bat at number eight after the fall of Virat Kohli’s wicket. At that time, India needed 30 off 23 balls and Ravindra Jadeja was at the other end. However, Thakur handed India the advantage after he smashed four on the first ball he faced. Shardul Thakur’s Unexpected Cameo Helps India Register Four-Wicket Victory Against West Indies in 3rd ODI 2019, Twitterati Go Frenzy to Hail the Pacer.

The pacer went on to smash Sheldon Cottrell for a six and a four in the 48th over and brought down the equation in India’s favour. Thakur finished with unbeaten 17 off just 6 balls. India eventually won the match by four wickets and clinched the three-match series 2-1.

Interestingly, Thakur was not picked initially in the squad for the ODI series against West Indies. Only after Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s injury in the T20I series, Thakur was added to the squad. Following Thakur’s match-winning cameo Kohli tweeted a selfie with the bowler and complimented him in Marathi. The Indian captain wrote, “Tula maanla re Thakur,” which roughly translates to ‘I bow down to you Thakur’. India vs West Indies 3rd ODI 2019 Stat Highlights: Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja Guide Hosts to 2-1 Series Win; Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami Script Records

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However, the Mumbai pacer didn’t have a great time with the ball at Cuttack and gave away 66 runs in his 10 overs apart from picking just one wicket. Thakur was not named in the playing XI for first ODI and in two matches, he managed to pick just two wickets. But on Sunday night, Thakur entertained fans with his cameo.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 23, 2019 11:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).