For Team India, the first few days of the Test Championship final have been difficult. Both financially and physically on the field. The Indian team entered the batting order against an energized Australian lineup after a taxing 121 overs of fielding and bowling to Australia’s batters. But they found it difficult to get going. To make matters worse. Day 2 finished with several Indian hitters taking hits from Australia’s ferocious pacers with the red Dukes ball.
Ajinkya Rahane received one to the glove, one to the forearm, and one on the helmet for good measure. Late on day 2, KS Bharat also received two blows to the forearm in quick succession. In the opening over of Day 3 Scott Boland would dismiss the wicketkeeper-bat. His substitute Shardul Thakur would receive the same treatment from the Australian bowlers. Leading to one of the more amusing sequences of the Test match thus far.
This morning, P.Cummins stepped up the heat, and Shardul was the target
When facing the Australian captain, Shardul had entered the field of play without any arm protectors. However, the Australian pacer rattled his right hand. Prompting the Indian team physio to run outside to check on Shardul’s bowling arm. The very next delivery struck Shardul even harder than before, this time striking him in the forearm.
Shardul interpreted this as a warning and put on a front arm guard to protect his bowling arm from Cummins’ ferocious spell. Much to the amusement of Ricky P. and Dinesh Karthik on television. Shardul was then captured in a funny snapshot, suddenly sporting arm guards on both arms.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said DK, after which Karthik added, “Neither have I.”
