In another blow to India’s hopes of a successful chase, Shardul Thakur fell victim to Nathan Lyon’s bowling, resulting in his dismissal for a duck. Lyon’s delivery, clocking at 90kph, spun sharply after drifting away slightly. Thakur attempted to defend the ball, but the inside edge was beaten, and the ball struck him on the front pad right next to the stumps.
A confident appeal for LBW followed, and the umpire, Richard Illingworth, raised his finger in response. Thakur decided to review the decision, hoping for a favorable outcome. However, the replays confirmed that there was no bat involved in the dismissal.
The next step was to consult ball-tracking, and the outcome was conclusive. The ball was shown to be hitting the stumps, with all three reds displayed on the screen. Thakur’s innings was cut short without scoring a run.
With Thakur’s departure, India’s task of chasing down the target became even more daunting. The team now finds itself in a precarious position, with only the lower-order batsmen remaining to bridge the significant gap in runs required for victory.
Lyon’s delivery showcased his skill as an off-spinner, deceiving Thakur with its turn and beating his defensive stroke. The Australian bowler’s contribution to his team’s cause cannot be understated, as he claimed a crucial wicket at a crucial juncture of the match.
More to follow…
