Former India Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane is urging the Indian team management to consider opening the bowling attack with Jasprit Bumrah and Shardul Thakur in the remaining matches of the ongoing series against England. Rahane, whose last red-ball appearance for India was in July 2023 against the West Indies, believes Shardul possesses the crucial ability to swing the ball both ways and is a proven wicket-taker.
In the first India-England Test, Shardul bowled only six overs in the first innings and 10 in the second, a usage Rahane felt was insufficient.
“I feel an all-rounder’s role is very important. Shardul Thakur has been an experienced player and has done well in Test cricket overseas. I want to see more overs from Shardul. If the Indian team can use Shardul Thakur in a better way, that will be great. Whatever I have seen with him, he can swing the ball both ways and is a wicket-taker. If Shardul can bowl the first change or even be given the new ball, he can swing it both ways,” Rahane stated on his YouTube channel.
He further elaborated on his strategy: “With the Duke ball, it generally starts to behave after 10 or 12 overs. If Shardul can start the bowling with Bumrah and Siraj can come in as one change, that will be great. I would like to see Shardul bowling more overs. Give him that freedom, and he will get you more wickets.”
Shardul has played a total of 12 Tests for India since his debut against the West Indies in October 2018, accumulating 33 wickets. While he was chosen over Nitish Kumar Reddy for the series opener in Leeds, captain Shubman Gill did not utilize him extensively with the ball.
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