There was one bowler, who was playing his third Test and had become the leader of the attack and the other was playing his second and had bowled just 10 balls in his first before getting injured and both of them were on the brink of getting their maiden five-wicket hauls in front of the Gabba crowd againt the host Australian team.
Mohammad Siraj and Shardul Thakur aiming for the first 5 wicket haul:#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/3047xZNI3p
— Mojo (@Singhlicious) January 18, 2021
However, the new leader, Mohammed Siraj got the wicket, and Shardul took the catch. Siraj's face and expression told the story what it meant to him and the way skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul himself clapped and cheered for him when they were walking off the field told what that meant for the whole side, which has been put through various challenges and obstacles throughout this four-match Test series.
Siraj bowled a shot ball, which Josh Hazlewood bent and hit it towards the third man fielder, but couldn't get over him and it went straight into the hands of Shardul Thakur, standing at that position. While Siraj finished with figures of 5/73, Thakur finished with 4/61 taking his match figures to 7 wickets.
Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur share nine wickets between them as Australia are all out for 294.
The hosts have set India a target of 328.#AUSvIND https://t.co/oDTm209M8z pic.twitter.com/fv0fIxL7CQ
— ICC (@ICC) January 18, 2021
Siraj didn't hold up his emotions as he held the red ball in the air when he was given the ball by the skipper and led the team off the field, after which he hugged Jasprit Bumrah in the dugout. The nine wickets between the duo helped the visitors bowl out the Aussies for 294 as they set a target of 328 runs for India to chase in the final game of the series at the Gabba.
The moment Mohammed Siraj broke through for his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket! @VodafoneAU | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/xZgHvrVgZE
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 18, 2021
Later, Thakur was seen beaming and delighted for his bowling partner as he was so happy for his mate as he got his first fifer in Test matches, only in his third game in the format.
The expressions of Thakur and his appreciation for his fellow paceman won the hearts of many fans as users on Twitter couldn't stop themselves from applauding Thakur as they suggested that he could easily have been sad for missing his fifer or envy could have crept in seeing the other bowler get to his milestone while he missed out, but there was nothing of that sort as Shardul was just ecstatic to see his partner get to his maiden five-wicket haul against a team like Australia on their home soil.
Here are some of the reactions:
An image that is testament to the spirit in this Indian squad. Both Shardul Thakur and Mohd Siraj were eyeing the final wicket to complete their maiden 5-wicket haul in test cricket.
Finally, Siraj gets the wicket and Shardul applauds him with a beaming smile :)#AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/Tdxbcjlnsf
— Zucker Doctor (@DoctorLFC) January 18, 2021
“You’ll end up with a five-wicket haul in this Test series. Your father’s dua (blessing) is with you,” is what the two head coaches had told Mohammad Siraj when he went for practice following his dad’s passing. Two months later. A Star is Born #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/juxfZEJUe9
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 18, 2021
Both Siraj and shardul were looking for their maiden fifer! Shardul took the catch and Siraj got his 5th wicket More than Siraj, Shardul Thakur is looking happier for his teammate. That's what cricket is all about pic.twitter.com/ymPKx3sgvX
— AAYUSH SHETTY (@Bebaslachara) January 18, 2021
That happiness on Shardul Thakur's face when he took that catch off Mohammed Siraj's bowling.
Both wanted that Fifer, Siraj won that race #INDvAUS
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) January 18, 2021
Missed his fifer , but still smiling and clapping for siraj , this is shardul thakur for you @imShard #gabbatest #IndiavsAustralia pic.twitter.com/OKDapKbEBo
— Aman Lekhwar (@amanlekhwar8) January 18, 2021
Shardul Thakur misses out on a five-for but takes a catch to help Siraj bag a five-wicket haul. Look at the delight on his face, that’s the beauty of sports. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/jP92mcc52K
— Sayantan Bhattacharjee (@Sayantan90s) January 18, 2021
Shardul thakur took the catch of Hazlewood which took siraj to his five wicket haul at the GABBA And Shardul was smiling for his teammate even after missing his Fifer This guy is something else Team Spirit on TOP pic.twitter.com/CoJV0RjGDZ
— The Social Indian (@tsi_indian) January 18, 2021
Ajinkya Rahane hands over the match ball to Mohammed Siraj who leads India off the Gabba pitch. Shardul Thakur seems as happy as Siraj himself. What a series he's had. What a beautiful moment. pic.twitter.com/By3dv91UZV
— Pawan Kumar pandey (@pawanpandey1996) January 18, 2021