IND vs AUS WTC Final: Team India's lower-order batter Shardul Thakur's defence was put to Test by Australian captain Pat Cummins on Day 3 of IND vs AUS World Test Championship (WTC) Final at the Oval cricket stadium in London. Even on-air commentators Ricky Ponting and Dinesh Karthik were left stunned when Shardul suffered two painful back-to-back body blows during a 'violent' Pat Cummins spell. First time, Shardul was struck on the forearm and the second time on his thumb. Indian physio was soon called in for medical assistance in no time, who then applied magic spray to get Shardul ready for the next delivery. Interestingly, what happened next was very rare as Shardul was spotted wearing an arm guard on both his hands. Usually, a batter wears an arm guard to protect the arm he bats with and in this case, Shardul, who is a pace bowling all-rounder, wanted to protect his bowling arm (right arm) as well.
"I've never seen anything like it," said Ricky Ponting while commentating on-air, to which Dinesh Karthik responded by stating, "Neither have i."
ALSO WATCH | Ex-Pak Cricketer Makes Shocking Claim, Accuses Australia Of Ball-Tampering In IND vs AUS WTC 2023 Final
Watch viral video from WTC Final: Shardul Thakur two consecutive body-blows in Pat Cummins' over.
Unless a miracle happens, Rohit Sharma-led team India are heading towards a shambolic defeat against Australia in the ongoing India vs Australia World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 Final at The Oval in London. Batting first, Australia posted 469 in their first innings. In reply, India were bowled out for mere 296 runs on Day 3. After batting for 24 overs in their second innings, Australia reached 68 for loss of two wickets and led India by 247 runs in the final session of third day's play.