In a dramatic turn of events on Day 3 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, Shardul Thakur, the Indian all-rounder, was given a lifeline not once, but twice, as the Australian team missed crucial catching opportunities. Thakur’s survival proved to be a temporary reprieve for India in their battle against Australia for cricket’s most prestigious title.
It all started with Scott Boland’s delivery that found the edge of Thakur’s bat. The ball soared high, tempting fate, and headed towards the awaiting hands of Usman Khawaja, positioned at third slip. As the crowd held their breath, Khawaja leaped into action, stretching his arm to claim the catch. However, luck favored Thakur as the ball eluded Khawaja’s outstretched hand, grazing his fingertips before falling agonizingly close to the turf. It was a missed opportunity that left the Australian team stunned and gave Thakur another chance to prove his mettle.
But the drama did not end there. Pat Cummins, Australia’s ace fast bowler, had his moment with Thakur as well. Delivering a back-of-length ball that moved away from the right-hander, Cummins induced an outside edge from Thakur’s bat. The ball flew rapidly towards gully, where Cameron Green eagerly anticipated an easy catch. However, Green’s anticipation turned to dismay as the ball struck him, causing it to pop out of his grasp. The chance for a dismissal slipped away, leaving Green and his teammates in disbelief.
In a matter of minutes, Thakur had been given two reprieves, and Australia had missed two golden opportunities to send him back to the pavilion.
