India opener Shardul Thakur has opened up about the pivotal role Rohit Sharma played in his memorable performances at the Gabba during India's iconic win against Australia in 2021 .Thakur put up a game-changing 123-run partnership with Washington Sundar for the seventh wicket. to help Team India approach Australia's first innings of 369.
Shardul Thakur came into the fold as India struggled at 186/6, but the over looked confused and aggressive and proceeded to play a knock a stunning 67 runs off 115 balls, including nine boundaries and two sixes at The Gabba, despite playing only his second Test.
Shardul Thakur portrays the important role of Rohit Sharma in his iconic Gabba scene
Recently, Thakur reflected on his memorable statements at The Gabba, as he revealed that Rohit Sharma used subtle sign language from the dugout to direct him at crucial moments in the fourth Test against Australia in Brisbane.
Shardul also noted that Sharma used to tell him when bowlers were tired or nearing the end of their spells, helping the Mumbai cricketer to keep his attack judicious and stay focused against Australia's formidable bowling attack during India's 2020-21 tour.
Rohit was talking to me in sign language from the dugout: Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur was quoted as saying by The Cricket Monthly: “Rohit was speaking to me in sign language from the dugout. He would tell when an archer was tired or coming to the end of his spell. Like, I think that happened when Hazlewood was coming to the end of a spell. Rohit asked me to wait and not push to play shots. “
Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur, who was not sold in the IPL 2025 auction, shared a moment from the second innings, where he missed a chance to end the game, as Josh Hazlewood dismissed him freely for 2 runs , and that caused a harsh word. from Indian captain Rohit Sharma.
When I went to the dugout, Rohit dismissed me for not finishing the match: Thakur
Riding confidently after his first-innings heroics, Thakur attempted an ambitious shot and was dismissed by Hazlewood at The Gabba. However, Rishabh Pant's iconic knock of 89* got India over the line, and they wrote history by winning the Test match by three wickets.
He signed off by saying, “I was getting confidence from the performance of the first entry. Unfortunately, trying to hit over the side of the leg, I ended it. I had picked up two runs off the same type of delivery, which I had bowled off the stumps. The pressure was on again. When I went to the dugout, Rohit made fun of me for not finishing it, but I defended myself, saying that I was not playing a bounce shot.”
Notably, the Gabba Test 2021 remains one of the most iconic moments in the history of Indian cricket, and currently, Rohit Sharma and his team face the mighty Australians at the same venue in the third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, it remains to be seen whether India will repeat that historic victory over the Australian side.
