Young Shardul Thakur made his debut in the fourth ODI between India and Sri Lanka. With the series won, the Indian team decided to give newcomers a chance to prove their mettle. However, the fast-bowler was the subject of criticism on social media not for his performance, which was commendable, but for his jersey.
Ahead of the match in Colombo, Shardul was given his ODI cap by coach and former Indian skipper Ravi Shastri. A tweet posted by the official account of BCCI reads, "Proud moment for young @imShard as he receives his ODI cap from @RaviShastriOfc."
Shardul stepped into the field wearing the No 10 jersey that once belonged to Sachin Tendulkar.
This did not go down well with the fans and they did not waste time in expressing their displeasure on Twitter.
People wanted to know how did a debutant get that jersey.
Shardul Thakur! The 2nd Indian Cricketer to sport a Jersey No.10 after Sachin Tendulkar?! #SLvIND
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) August 31, 2017@BCCI Jersey no 10 belongs to one and only @sachin_rt
We cant accept anyone wearing that Jersey no.. pic.twitter.com/ybb4oqzpBb
Welcome SHARDUL THAKUR to intl cricket. But a debutant wears jersey no 10 that was to retire with Sachin.Decision of BCCI reversed ??@BCCI
— GOVIND SHARDA (@IMGOVINDSHARDA) August 31, 2017@imShard Jersey no. 10 always belonged to Sachin Tendulkar. Take it off. Find another jersey. Wtf BCCI?!
— Vinitha Nair (@94vinitha) August 31, 2017@BCCI please retire Jersey no. 10 from ODI cricket,we don't want anyone else other than @sachin_rt to wear the same number.
— Dhairyasheel Patil (@AProudSachinist) August 31, 2017WTF 😠😠 Shardul Thakur wearing #Jersey10 !!
BCCI Have you lost your mind 😠😡 this jersey belongs to only one man 😬 disgusting #INDvSL
10 is not just a number it is emotion for 90's cricket fans
I dont know How can @BCCI give retired #jerseyno10 to newcomer @imShard @BCCI😡 pic.twitter.com/zjOw78uSni
@imShard you still have a long way to go to get that no.10.@BCCI it's too early to give away that jersey no.10.#RetireJerseyno10
— Phanindra Reddy (@phanindrareddi) August 31, 2017After the match, Shardul himself came out and revealed the reason. While talking to media Shardul said the total of his birth date is 10 and that is why he chose the number 10 jersey.
The fast bowler from Mumbai was born on 16th October 1991. If you add these digits (16+10+1991) the total comes out to be 10. Interestingly, Shardul also comes from Mumbai and the initials of his name ‘ST’ are same as of Sachin Tendulkar’s.
The right-arm pacer gave the Men in Blue the first breakthrough by dismissing Niroshan Dickwella for just 14 and ended the match with figures of 26 for 1 in 7 overs as India trounced the hosts by 168 runs to go 4-0 up in the five-match series.