Indian cricket team is at the stage of dramatic changes. Older players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are speculated about their future whereas the fresh faces are attempting to establish a niche in the team. One of them is the Indian all-rounder who was dropped following the 2023 world cup, but now targets the 2027 world cup. This player is all-round fast-bowling Thakur Shardul.
Shardul Thakur has been a fighter in a fighting spirit. He represented Team India at the 2023 ODI world cup but failed to do as expected. His bowling and batting were not much felt and when the tournament came to an end, the selectors chose to omit him in the squad.
However, now Shardul is also attempting to comeback strongly with continuous performance in domestic cricket. Competing in the Ranji Trophy in the Mumbai team, he played successfully and told about his future. Shardul told this after the match with Chhattisgarh that the only option is to get back into the national team with consistent good performances.
He replied, that I am concentrated on delivering good results in any match so that I could get back to Team India. The ODI world cup will be hosted in South Africa in the coming time, and fast bowlers and all-rounders will make a significant contribution there. It may be a vacant position of the all-rounder bowler at number 8 and I am ready. My training is such that I am prepared to play were they to call me tomorrow.
Based on the statement of Shardul, it is obvious that he is confident and ready to play on behalf of India again. Although he does not feature in the present team, he still has a positive mindset. He thinks that he can again display himself as a match-winning player to the country.
In the meantime, the selectors have begun to offer new talents an opportunity. The Nitish Kumar Reddy is the latest to be incorporated in the Indian setup. He is also an all-rounder and a fast-bowling all-rounder and is being viewed as a prospective in the future. Probably Shardul Thakur and Nitish Reddy will be fighting on the same position within the team the same player who can take wickets during the middle overs and score during the lower order.
Recent Ranji Trophy between Chhattisgarh and Mumbai concluded in a draw, and Shardul was remarkable in bowling rhythm. When the match was over, he talked about the flaws of Mumbai and opined that the team requires a more powerful opening pair. The other hope that he had was that Yashasvi Jaiswal would also join the team. Jaiswal is likely to feature in the next match of Mumbai, which is against Rajasthan, and it commences on November 1 in Jaipur.
Shardul Thakur has demonstrated over the years to be a worthy all rounder to India. He is a complete package because of his skills in swinging the ball and making important runs. He has struck a number of match-winning knocks and he has greatly contributed to the Indian wins, whether at home or away.
Although the 2023 world cup has not served him well, Shardul has not yet surrendered. His physical shape and will prove that he has not yet exhausted all he can contribute. In South Africa, the 2027 world cup will be played on fast pitches and this will provide him with the best opportunity of making a comeback.
Conversing on his mentality, Shardul stated that he keeps himself in readiness to play international cricket. You can count on me tomorrow, boys; call me up, and I will be ready to play, he said with a lot of confidence.
The story of Shardul Thakur is a story of perseverance and faith. Nevertheless, he does not give up on his ambition to put on the India jersey in the world cup 2027 and come back strongly as one of the best all-rounders in the country.
