Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur spoke about the pivotal role Rohit Sharma played in his memorable innings at the Gabba during India’s epic Test win over Australia in 2021. Thakur forged a game-changing 123-run partnership with Washington Sundar for the seventh wicket. Helping the Indian team close to Australia’s total of 369.
Shardul Thakur came to the crease as India struggled at 186/6, but the all-rounder showed great composure and aggression to score a remarkable knock of 67 runs off 115 balls that included nine boundaries and two sixes at The Gabba. despite playing only his second Test.
Shardul Thakur reveals his pivotal role in Rohit Sharma’s iconic Gabba tattoo
Thakur recently reflected on his memorable innings at The Gabba as he revealed that Rohit Sharma used subtle sign language from the dugout to guide him at crucial moments in the fourth Test against Australia in Brisbane.
Shardul further noted that Sharma used to signal to bowlers when they were tired or nearing the end of their spell, helping the Mumbai cricketer time his aggression wisely and stay focused against Australia’s formidable bowling attack during India’s 2020-21 tour.
Rohit was speaking to me in sign language from the shelter: Shardul Thakur
The Cricket Monthly quoted Shardul Thakur as saying, “Rohit was speaking to me in sign language from the dugout. It indicated when a bowler was getting tired or when his spell was coming to an end. I think it happened when Hazlewood came to the end of his spell. “Rohit asked me to wait and not push to play the innings.”
Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur, who was not sold in the IPL 2025 Auction, also shared a moment from the second innings where he missed an opportunity to end the game as Josh Hazlewood dropped him cheaply for 2 runs, prompting a harsh word. From Indian captain Rohit Sharma.
As I walked towards the dungeon, Rohit scolded me for not finishing the game: Thakur
A confident Thakur after his first innings heroics attempted an ambitious knock and was dismissed by Hazlewood at the Gabba. However, Rishabh Pant’s remarkable knock of 89* runs managed to knock India out and they made history by winning the Test match by three wickets.
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He signed off by saying, “I appreciated the confidence from the first innings performance. Unfortunately, I tried to hit the side of the leg and went for a top edge. I was flicked off the hips, two similar types were chosen. The pressure started again. When I was walking towards the dungeon, Rohit scolded me for not finishing it, but I defended myself, saying that I am not taking any shots.”
Notably, the 2021 Gabba Test remains one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket history and currently Rohit Sharma and his team face the mighty Australians 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.
