"Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur came out of syllabus" - Twitterati hails duo for record partnership
All-rounders Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur put on a stunning 123-run stand for the seventh wicket for India on Day 3 of the fourth Test at the Gabba. The unexpected rearguard action helped Team India score 336 runs and concede only a 33-run first-innings deficit.
The partnership is Team India's highest for the seventh wicket at the Gabba. Shardul Thakur's 67 and Washington Sundar's 62 showed incredible grit and character in the face of adversity.
Twitter erupts after Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur's record stand
Fans on Twitter went berserk about the fabulous partnership, applauding Sundar and Thakur for their impressive innings. Here is what some of them said:
The memes and jokes were not missing
As usual, the Twitterati came up with clever jokes and memes to show their appreciation of the duo and take subtle digs at the Australian bowling unit.
How the Indian tail fought back
India resumed the third day on 62-2, trailing by 307 runs. Most of the batsmen got off to good starts but couldn't make them count. Eventually, the visitors were in all sorts of trouble at 186-6.
It was at this moment when Shardul Thakur joined Washington Sundar at the crease, with the visitors still trailing by 183 runs. With two men playing their first Test innings, Australia fancied their chances of a significant first-innings lead.
However, Thakur and Sundar had other plans. They took their time to settle in before mixing resolute defence with cautious aggression to chip away at the Australian first innings.
While Washington Sundar was the more watchful of the two, Shardul Thakur looked to play a few shots and unsettle the Australian bowlers, reaching his maiden Test fifty with a six off Nathan Lyon.
After Washington Sundar also brought up his fifty, Shardul Thakur was undone by Pat Cummins to end a resolute stand.
The 27-year-old bowled a full delivery to breach Shardul Thakur's defences when the batsman went for an ambitious drive down the ground.
Washington Sundar fell to Mitchell Starc but not before registering the highest score by a visiting number seven debutant in a Test in Australia. Mohammed Siraj also played a brief cameo before the Indian innings folded up, with the last four partnerships yielded an impressive 150 runs.
Australia ended Day 3 at 21 without loss to set up a thrilling finale to lead by 54 runs.