Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur spoke about the crucial role played by Rohit Sharma in his memorable innings at the Gabba during India's famous win over Australia in 2021. Thakur struck a game-changing partnership with Washington Sundar for the seventh wicket. To help Team India move closer to Australia's first innings total of 369.
Shardul Thakur came to the crease when India were struggling at 186/6, but the all-rounder showed immense composure and aggression and went on to play a brilliant knock of 67 runs off 115 balls, including nine boundaries and two sixes at The Gabba, despite playing his second Test only.
Shardul Thakur reveals Rohit Sharma's important role in Gabba's famous hit
Recently, Thakur spoke about his memorable innings at The Gabba, where he revealed that Rohit Sharma used a subtle sign language from the dugout to guide him through crucial moments in the fourth Test against Australia in Brisbane.
Shardul also pointed out that Sharma used to tip him when the bowlers were tired or nearing the end of their spells, which helped the Mumbai cricketer time his aggression wisely and maintain focus against Australia's formidable bowling attack during the 2020-21 tour of India.
Rohit was speaking to me in sign language from the dugout: Shardul Thakur
Cricket Monthly quoted Shardul Thakur as saying: “Rohit was speaking to me in sign language from the dugout. He was indicating the time when the bowler was tired or nearing the end of his spell. I think this happened when Hazlewood was nearing the end of the spell. Rohit asked me to wait.” No pressure to pay.
Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur, who was not sold in the IPL 2025 auction, also shared a moment from the second half, where he missed a chance to end the game, as Josh Hazlewood dismissed him cheaply for two runs, and that led to a stern word from Indian captain Rohit Sharma.
When I headed to the dugout, Rohit scolded me for not finishing the game: Thakur
Bursting with confidence after his heroics in the first innings, Thakur attempted an ambitious shot and was dismissed by Hazlewood at The Gabba. However, Rishabh Pant's remarkable knock of 89* managed to see India through, and they scripted history by winning the Test match by three wickets.
“I was very confident coming into the first innings,” he signed off. “Unfortunately, while trying to hit on the side of my leg, I hit an overhand hit. I picked two runs of a similar type of delivery, which I took off from the hips. The pressure was on again. When I headed to the bunker, Rohit scolded me for not finishing it, but I defended myself by saying I had not played a rash shot.
Notably, the 2021 Gabba Test remains one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket history, and currently, Rohit Sharma and his side are taking on the mighty Aussies at the same venue in the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. However, it remains to be seen whether India will repeat this historic victory over the Australian side.
