South African fast bowler Marco Jansen looked in some discomfort after an awkward bouncer by Shardul Thakur hit him on his chest on the second day of the second Test at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday.   

The 21-year-old tried to punch the ball down the pitch during the fifth delivery of the 71st over of the South African innings when Thakur’s bouncer hit his chest. Jansen, who was visibly in discomfort, quickly removed his gloves as the physio rushed to the pitch to attend to him. After a brief pause, Jansen resumed with his batting.

Also Read: Shardul Thakur claims seven wickets, best figures by Indian in South Africa

The youngster made his Test debut against India in Centurion. After picking just one wicket in the first innings in the second Test, Jansen came back with a four-for in the second innings. He has picked five wickets since, including KL Rahul’s early wicket in India’s second innings to give his side a major advantage in the Johannesburg Test.

Shardul Thakur, on the other hand, turned out to be an unlikely hero with a career-best 7 for 61. The 30-year-old picked up a maiden five-wicket haul in Tests on the second day of the second Test against South Africa. He dismissed South African skipper Dean Elgar, Keegan Petersen, and Rassie van der Dussen before Lunch. He struck once again after Lunch, picking up the wickets of Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne.

Several former cricketers took to Twitter to laud Thakur for his effort.

“Fantastic from shardul.Impressive bowling with an older ball!” former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan tweeted.

Vinay Kumar tweeted, “Bowling more in domestic cricket will help a fast bowler to use the old ball to the fullest of his ability. Congratulations Shardul Thakur on your fifer.”