Johannesburg: Shardul Thakur's terrific form on Tuesday helped him record 7 for 61 in the ongoing Test match between India and South Africa but the pacer thinks the "best is yet to come".
The 30-year-old now holds the record for best innings figures among the Indian bowlers in South Africa, surpassing former cricketer Harbhajan Singh, who registered 7/120 in a drawn Test in Cape Town in 2011.
"Yes they are my best figures but best is yet to come," said Shardul in a virtual press conference.
"(Jasprit) Bumrah and (Mohammed) Shami bowled brilliantly. Fortunately when my spell came I got the wickets. There are days when they bowl and get wickets despite my good bowling."
India bundled out South Africa for 229 with a slender lead of 27 runs. The visiting team India wiped out the small deficit but suffered two big blows, losing both openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal.
Experienced batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, both who are struggling with their form, found themselves under immense pressure as the South African attack continued troubling them.
Pujara (38 not out) and Rahane (11 not out) batted unusually fast and saw off the day with no further dent. India reached 85/2 at stumps on Day 2 of the second Test at the Wanderers stadium.
When asked whether there was a message for them from the dressing room, Shardul said, "There was no message for them."
"Pujara is batting well and felt comfortable. He got some loose balls too. He got a chance to play cut shots against spinners. Runs will come if he continues to bat like this," Shardul signed off. (UNI)