'Bahut takleef hoti hai jab...': Netizens suggest Shardul Thakur was robbed off 'Player of the Match' award in 4th Test

Indian team won a Test match at the Oval in London after 1971, a gap of 50 years. It was a total team performance from the visitors with lower-order performing with the bat in the first innings, pacers ding the job in both the innings and openers and middle-order coming to the rescue in the second batting innings.

While Rohit Sharma stood out with his first overseas Test century scoring 127 runs and was the main reason why India could post a total of 466 runs in the second innings. But it was the bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur who had the most impact on the game among the 22 players on the field making his presence felt in all four innings.

Thakur first made the difference with the fastest-ever Test fifty in England helping India lift to 191 after being o 127/6. Then in the second innings took the most important wicket of well-set Ollie Pope, who played a fabulous knock of 81 runs. 

Shardul counter-attacks England in style and races to his 50 with a pull over square leg for 6.

Tune into Sony Six (ENG), Sony Ten 3 (HIN), Sony Ten 4 (TAM, TEL) & SonyLIV (https://t.co/AwcwLCPFGm ) now! #ENGvINDOnlyOnSonyTen #BackOurBoys #Shardul pic.twitter.com/pzGbUPnUI8

— Sony Sports (@SonySportsIndia) September 2, 2021

Then again with the bat, Thakur smashed 60 runs off just 72 balls helping India's lead to go beyond 300 and then in the final innings took two very important wickets. First, he broke the 100-run opening partnership between Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed, getting rid of the left-hander. He came back to dismiss England skipper Joe Root as England were now all but out of the game.

The LORD striketh gold! 
Shardul bowls one in the corridor outside off and Root chops it on! 

Tune into Sony Six (ENG), Sony Ten 3 (HIN), Sony Ten 4 (TAM, TEL) & SonyLIV (https://t.co/AwcwLCPFGm ) now! #ENGvINDOnlyOnSonyTen #BackOurBoys #Shardul #Root pic.twitter.com/m4PoFlEhWI

— Sony Sports (@SonySportsIndia) September 6, 2021

However, Rohit was given the 'Player of the Match' award for his knock and naturally, the fans were not happy with the decision as they suggested that it was out and out Thakur's game and giving anyone else the award didn't make sense.

Skipper Virat Kohli too appreciated Thakur's efforts in the game saying that his impact in the game will be remembered for a long time.

Here are some of the reactions:

Oh man. How can you not give Shardul Thakur the Man of the match? He was a candidate even in the Gabba Test. He changed both the games with his batting. We were 186-7 in Gabba and his 67 changed the momentum. Took 7 wkts too. We were 127-7 at Oval and his 57 gave India something.

— RandomCricketPhotos&Videos (@RandomCricketP1) September 6, 2021

1st innings: Walks in at 117/6, smashes 57(36)

2nd innings: Dismisses ENG’s top-scorer (Pope, 81)

3rd innings: Walks in at 312/6, hits 60(72) - stretching the lead past 300

4th innings: Breaks a 100-run opening stand + gets rid of the #1 Test batter

Thakur’s Test#ENGvIND

— Yash Jha (@jhayash) September 6, 2021

Sorry Rohit, but there is only one choice for man of the match. All hail Lord Thakur. #ENGvIND

— Srinath (@srinathb) September 6, 2021

Do these match officials+commentators (or whoever picks the player of match) do they understand the context around the contributions? Do they understand the value of a half-century when a side could have potentially lost the match in the first innings itself?

— Tatsam (@LunkyFallow) September 6, 2021

Absolutely baffling stuff. Sure, centurions and five-wicket hauls are important. But how are we slaves to the scoreboard, even in 2021? Do better. Award *real* match winners.#ShardulThakur

— Tatsam (@LunkyFallow) September 6, 2021

Mereko Ghanta bhi faraq nai padta ye nakli Steel ke medal se

- Lord Shardul about Man of the match award pic.twitter.com/9GpOp6aHYZ

— Ravi Desai Champion ICT (@its_DRP) September 6, 2021

#INDvENG
Rohit Sharma is the man of the match.
Meanwhile Lord Shardul Thakur pic.twitter.com/4C3dYR6hrj

— D Dhenier (@DDhenier) September 6, 2021

Lord Shardul has been robbed off his Man of the Match award. As often is the case with the bowlers, just like Siraj was robbed off in 2nd test. It's high time the bowlers should get their deserved recognition. #Shardulthakur #shardul #INDvENG

— Shashi Preetham (@spg0319) September 6, 2021

Shardul didn't get MoM because it's 'Man' of the match and not 'Lord'.

— Manya (@CSKian716) September 6, 2021