Only six players in Test history have scored half-centuries in both innings while batting at number eight. Thakur modelled himself after Harbhajan Singh and Wriddiman Saha, two other Indian cricketers. Thakur hit a quick 60 in the second innings before being caught at first slip by Craig Overton off Joe Root's bowling.

In the final Test against England at the Oval, Shardual had shattered one too many records. Thakur blasted a half-century in just 31 balls in the first innings, the second-fastest half-century by an Indian batsman in Test cricket. Kapil Dev set the record against Pakistan in Karachi in 1982. Thakur's 36-ball 57 is the second-fastest fifty-plus score for India in Tests, after only Kapil's 55-ball 89 against England at Lord's in 1982. Shardul's batting was bolstered by the fact that he took the crucial wicket of Ollie Pope in the first innings.

Thakur also owns the record for the fastest half-century in England Test matches. Ian Botham set the previous record of 32 balls against New Zealand in 1986, also at The Oval. India is in the commanding situation at the Oval with the lead crossed the 300-run mark. Shardul Thakur and Rishabh Pant have put on 100-run for the seventh wicket. There were jitters in the touring camp after coach Ravi Shastri tested positive for COVID-19 and the team was cleared to play after the players returned two negative results.

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