‘Batsmanship has been a real standout’

Regular captain Virat Kohli led the tributes to Shardul Thakur's brave batting in the Brisbane decider but the number eight batsman was underwhelmed by his praise as he never considered himself a dud with the bat.

Thakur, playing his second Test, emerged as India's unlikely batting hero, top-scoring with a counter-attacking 67 to deny Australia a substantial first-innings lead. Debutant Washington Sundar was his partner in a 123-run seventh-wicket stand as both made their maiden Test fifties in the fourth and final game of the series on Sunday.

"I do believe I have some batting talent. I do work on my batting in the nets. We wait for these moments, these opportunities, to contribute with the bat," Thakur, who claimed three wickets in Australia's first innings, said in a video conference.

"When I came to the middle, crowd was cheering Australian bowlers then I remembered what Ravi Shastri told, he said when you perform in Australia they will love you. That is the one which was in my mind and it will also help India," he added.

"Outstanding application and belief by @Sundarwashi5 and @imShard. This is what Test cricket is all about," Virat Kohli, who returned home after the opening test to attend the birth of his daughter, said on Twitter.

"The batsmanship has been a real standout and their application and concentration. They didn''t throw it away. The partnership was outstanding, exactly what India needed at the time which is what they''ve been able to produce in a few Test matches," Ricky Ponting told cricket.com.au.