Indian cricket is bracing itself for a busy schedule with some back to back cricket. The schedule has started with the home series against Australia and South Africa. This will be followed by the T20 World Cup 2022. India then tours New Zealand for a white ball series, followed by Bangladesh tour before hosting Australia at home. The need for a bench strength is important and there are several players who are on the fringes looking to make it to the Indian team.
The story as it happened –
Shardul Thakur not long ago was part of the Indian team across formats. He was part of the Indian team for the tour of England, West Indies and Zimbabwe. The 30 year old hasn’t found favor with the Indian team set up for the twin home series. Thakur wasn’t picked for the 15 man squad for the T20 World Cup 2022, nor does he figure in the reserve list in the squad.
Thakur reveals the chat he had with Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid –
Shardul Thakur is part of the India A squad which is playing the series against New Zealand A. in the 1st List A game, Thakur picked a 4 wicket haul at Chennai. The 30 year old during a chat with ESPN Cricinfo said “In the first conversation between them and me, they conveyed to me that I am a three-format player for them. They are looking at me in all three formats. After that, we really did not sit and have a chat because we have been playing games regularly”
Shardul Thakur speaks about the packed schedule –
Thakur played a key role in the Indian wins during the West Indies and Zimbabwe tour. Despite his good numbers and performances in the IPL, he wasn’t considered for the 2022 T20 World Cup. Thakur said “If you see, the schedule is packed. The Indian team is playing series after series with a gap of just four-five days. No one has really had time to sit and chat with each other. I am bowling well, getting wickets. Even in the last two white-ball series that I've played, I have taken wickets. So definitely looking for a national call again whenever they want my services”
Thakur’s numbers in recent times –
Shardul Thakur began the year with a 7 wicket haul against South Africa during the Test series. During the 5th and final rescheduled test against England, he picked just a single wicket and scored mere 5 runs with the bat. He played all the 3 ODI games in West Indies picking 7 wickets and scored 10 with the bat. Against Zimbabwe he played two games picking 4 wickets and scoring 9 runs.
Turning out for India A –
Thakur has played 2 first class games against the visiting New Zealand A team and scored 33 with the bat and picked 3 wickets. In the first List A game, Thakur was the wrecker in chief with 4/32 as India A skittled New Zealand A out for mere 167 on the board.