"Captain Decides": Asked Tricky Question, Shardul Thakur Puts Entire Responsibility On Shubman Gill
While all of the over seamers bowled at least 10 overs, Shardul was the only one who bowled 5 on Thursday. In fact, even spinner Ravindra Jadeja bowled more overs (8) than Shardul during the second day's play.
"Giving bowling is the captain's call. Not in my hands. The captain decides when to give them," Shardul said in the press conference after the end of the day's play. "I could have bowled two overs more today but that is the captain's call. It is difficult to find rhythm but I try and use my experience."
Speaking to reporters, Shardul confirmed that Pant indeed suffered a fracture while batting on day one.
"I think it was always our plan (to try and bring Pant to the middle). There were quite a few efforts from the medical team. So, yes, kudos to them," said Shardul referring to Pant's fifty that helped India post 358 in their first innings.
"They could get Rishabh back onto the field. He could bat there for a while. And whatever he did, it's of course vital runs for the team he scored.
"And yes, he was in a lot of pain. And we have seen him doing a lot of amazing things. And this was just another amazing thing that he did for the team today," added Shardul.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
23 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Ben Stokes ridicules ‘injury replacement' debate, Gautam Gambhir hits back: 'Imagine if we had to play with 10 people'
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir and England captain Ben Stokes appear to be at opposite ends of the spectrum regarding the idea of allowing injury replacements in Test cricket. The topic became a hot topic after Rishabh Pant fractured his foot while batting on Day 1 of the Manchester Test and was in no position to keep the wickets. Dhruv Jurel was allowed to keep the wickets as cover for Pant, but the injured star had to come out to bat in pain as no substitution was allowed for injured players. Ben Stokes, Gautam Gambhir differ on injury replacement player debate.(Reuters and PRI Image) Stokes bluntly ridiculed the idea of injury replacement and suggested that if it came into effect, then the team would start exploring loopholes in it for their benefit. 'I think it is absolutely ridiculous there is a conversation around an injury replacement. There would be too many loopholes for a team to go through. You pick an 11 for the game, injuries are part of it. I think that conversation should be shut down,' said Stokes in the post-match press conference. 'I'm all for injury replacement': Gambhir On the other hand, Gambhir had a completely different take on this, suggesting there's no harm in permitting injury replacements—as long as the decision is made after a thorough evaluation by the umpires and match referee. 'Absolutely, I'm all for it, if the umpires and the match referee sees and feels that there's a major injury. It's very important to have this rule, where you can get a substitute. That is, if it's very visible, there's nothing wrong in doing that. Especially in a series like this, where it's been such a closely fought series, in the previous 3 Test matches," Gambhir said. 'Imagine if we would have had to play with 10 people, 10 men against 11. How unfortunate would this be for us," he added. A concussion substitute was introduced in the wake of Australian opener Phil Hughes' untimely death in 2014 after being hit on the head but there is no such provision in case of any other serious injury. Meanwhile, the differing perspectives of two prominent cricket personalities have sparked a renewed debate over the direction Test cricket should take—whether it must adapt to prioritise player safety or risk diluting the essence of the game's traditional format.
Hindustan Times
23 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
India wins 2 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze at FISU World University Games
India concluded their campaign at the FISU World University Games with a total of 12 medals, including two bronze medals and a silver medal by Ankita Dhyani in women's 3,000 m steeplechase on the final day of the competition on Sunday. Fireworks during the opening ceremony of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games in Duisburg, western Germany, on July 16, 2025. India finished the campaign with 12 medals(AFP) Also read: Education ministry seeks explanation from JNU VC for skipping key conference without approval The three medals on the final day took the Indian tally to two gold, five silver and five bronze medals, a total of 12 medals. The bronze medals were secured by the men's 4x100m relay and women's race walk teams on Sunday, as per Ankita, who took part in the 5,000 m event in the 2024 Paris Olympics, took the steeplechase late last year and, in April, clocked her previous best timings of 9:39.00 in Iowa Ilona Mononen of Finland bagged the gold after finishing in 9:31.86, and Germany's Adia Budde bagged bronze with a time of 9:33.34. Also read: DU UG Admission 2025: CSAS 2nd allotment list today at 5 pm on India kick-started the final day of the competition with a bronze medal in the women's 20 km race walk event as the trio of Sejal Singh, Munita Prajapati, and Mansi Negi secured a combined timing of 4:56:06 hours. Sejal was the fastest amongst all Indian walkers, finishing 15th individually with a 1:35:21 hour timing, while Munita Prajapati (1:39:33) finished in 18th spot, and Mansi Negi (1:41:12) finished 20th. China walked away with the gold medal in the event with a time of 4:28:51 hours, and Australia finished second with a time of 4:31:20 hours in the women's 20km race walk event. Coming to the men's 4x100m relay, the quartet of Lalu Prasad Bhoi, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar and Dondapati Mrutyum Jayaram took home the bronze medal with a timing of 38.89, while South Korea took home the gold with 38.50 and South Africa got the silver with 38.80. India secured a total of five athletics medals at the competition, with Praveen Chitravel and Seema getting the silver medals in men's triple jump and the women's 5000m race, respectively, on Saturday. India also had a fine medal count in compound archery, as Sahil Rajesh Jadhav and Parneet Kaur walked away with gold and silver medals in the men's and women's compound events. India also landed a gold medal in the mixed team event, and the men's team got a silver. The women's team bronze was another highlight in the compound category. Also read: NIRF Rankings 2024: How are India's best universities ranked? Here's everything you need to know India's medal tally opened with its second-ever badminton medal at the event, a historic bronze medal in the mixed team event. In tennis as well, India secured their first-ever medal, with Vaishnavi Adkar claiming a singles bronze. The first-ever tennis medal was won by Nandan Bal in 1979 in Mexico, a silver. India's best-ever performance in the World University Games came back in 2023 at Chengdu, finishing seventh with 26 medals, including 11 gold medals.
The Hindu
23 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Thanks to everyone who wrote me off, I'm grateful: Chloe Kelly after scoring Euro 2025-winning penalty for England
It almost felt like football fate when Chloe Kelly stepped up to the penalty spot on Sunday against Spain, with the chance to make history for England in clinching its second consecutive women's European Championship title. The 27-year-old, who had been doubtful to make Sarina Wiegman's Euros team only six months ago, did her trademark run-up, lifting her left leg and skipping onto her right, before launching a powerful shot into the top corner. 'Incredible game of football. I just came onto the pitch and wanted to make something happen,' Kelly said. 'Of course, taking the penalty, I actually missed three in training yesterday, (but) it's the belief in this squad, I'm really proud to be English right now and proud to be part of an amazing group of girls.' Kelly was the hero in England's 2022 victory at Wembley, scoring in extra time before famously twirling her shirt above her head in celebration. She came to the Lionesses' rescue several times in Switzerland, scoring in the shootout in their quarterfinal victory over Sweden, and smashing home her own rebound of a missed penalty against Italy in the semis. 'I was cool, I was composed, and I knew I was going to hit the back of the net. I don't miss penalties twice,' she said of her winning spot-kick. ALSO READ: Dejected Bonmati hopes to bounce back stronger after Women's Euro 2025 final loss to England Kelly's Switzerland story is remarkable, considering back in January, there were doubts she would make the Euros squad. She was barely playing for Manchester City and made a public plea to leave the club. She called them 'dark days'. Kelly's plea worked as she spent the rest of the season on a successful loan spell with Arsenal. 'I'm so grateful to be out of the back end,' Kelly said. 'Thanks to everyone who wrote me off. I'm grateful,' she added. Wiegman wrapped the crying Kelly in a long embrace. 'Everybody brings something different, and she brings this,' Wiegman said. 'She has been fighting to come back and to be at her highest level. She really wanted to take that penalty, of course, and celebrate that.' Kelly did not wait long to celebrate. Before starting a television interview, she grabbed the mic to sing along to 'Sweet Caroline' being belted out by the England crowd at St Jakob-Park. 'It is going to be crazy,' she said of the reception back home. 'I hope the whole of England comes out to support us and shows their love to these girls as they deserve it.' The Lionesses, who lost to Spain in the 2023 World Cup final, have talked about legacy in Switzerland. 'It's a huge moment. Every girl out there with that dream – you can do it,' she said. 'Keep shooting for the stars.'
