In the backdrop of India’s emphatic 168-run win over Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, debutant pacer Shardul Thakur had to face the ire of the game’s lovers on Thursday.
The reason was the jersey No. 10 that he donned on his debut ODI, the same number which Sachin Tendulkar was identified with for a long period of his career.
Shardul made an impressive appearance on his maiden ODI as he dismissed Sri Lanka’s most consistent batsman Nirashan Dickwella (14) to claim his first wicket in international cricket.
Cricket enthusiasts sidelined the dismissal and led attack on the 25-year-old Maharashtra lad.
“Shardul Thakur is wearing jersey no10. Can’t accept it.Ind’s no.10 is Sachin.can’t even imagine anyone else in that jersey. #RetireJerseyNo10,” a Twitter user (imvarunp) said.
Another fan of Tendulkar (@CrickeTendulkar) joined in, saying: “WTF Shardul Thakur wearing #Jersey10!! BCCI Have you lost your mind? This jersey belongs to only one man. Disgusting #INDvSL”
“Shardul Thakur is wearing jersey no. 10. How can anyone in Indian team take that number now? #disappointed #SLvIND,” a user (@megotiakumarjay) tweeted.
Urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to retire the NO.10 jersey, fans seemed furious over the whole scenario.
“Didn’t like Shardul Thakur wearing jersey no.10! Infact can’t see anyone wearing it except Sachin. BCCI should respect the emotions of Sachin fans,” user (@SwatiT_) said.
“Hey @BCCI I thought Jersey No.10 retired with Sir Sachin Tendulkar. How come Mr. Shardul Thakur is wearing this number? NOT COOL AT ALL,” user (@GargPratyush27) tweeted.
Some of the fans still seemed optimistic, foreseeing this prodigious cricketer carrying the legacy well. “#IndvsSL Shardul Thakur has number 10 on his Jersey. I thought it wasn’t supposed for other than Sachin in India. Great for Thakur though,” user (@Vikashk33967678) said.