India seamer Shardul Thakur on Friday showed once again how potent he can be with the bat coming in at No.
8.
The 28 - year - old smashed 22 off 8 balls and his late burst with Manish Pandey helped India recover from a middle order collapse and post 201/6 in the third T20I against Sri Lanka here.
In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 123, thus losing the match by 78 runs.
Thakur had earlier given a glimpse of his batting prowess with a match - winning 17 off 6 balls in the 3rd ODI against the West Indies last month which helped India chase down an imposing 316.
"I believe I have the ability with the bat and I have been practicing hard, " Thakur said in the post - match presentation ceremony on Friday after being named the Man of the Match.
"If I can contribute at number eight, it is always crucial for the team, " he said.
Thakur then put in a shift with the ball and in the field.
He ended the match with figures of 2/19 and was part of India's fine fielding effort which stifled Sri Lanka for runs.
"With regard to my action, I can bowl outswingers, so the focus was to swing the ball early, " said Thakur.
Though Thakur has been part of the India squad for quite some time, he is now getting selected in the playing XI on a more consistent basis.
However, Thakur said he never felt left out at any point.
"I have spent quite some time in the team ever since I broke into the side in 2016.
I get a homely feeling and don't feel left out, so credit goes to the captain and the team management, " he said.