Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur might finally break free to play his first international game in the Indian ODI and the Twenty20 against Sri Lanka. The 25-year-old was previously part of the Indian Test squad during the last tour of West Indies (2016).
It seems the recent seven wickets to his credit in the last two one-days against South Africa (SA) (A) in Pretoria to help India (A) retain the tri-series trophy, which they last won four years ago. Thakur had a dream run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign as he led the Rising Pune Supergiant to qualify for the finals before losing to Mumbai Indians.
Thakur was also part of the two four-day matches against SA (A) that began August 12. However, his selection meant he would fly to Sri Lanka for the limited overs series starting August 20. Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav’s rest gave him the space and the much-needed opportunity. He is the fourth seamer in the 15-member squad along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
The squad has three spinners namely Yuzvendra Chahal, Akar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav after main spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were rested. Thakur, who is the back-up seamer in the squad, is unlikely to feature in playing XI initially. But the skilful youngster has mastered on flat and slow wickets in India by bringing variations and, if given a chance, he can be more than handy on similar wickets in Sri Lanka.
The Palghar-born hard-working seamer has been doing consistently well for Mumbai at the domestic level across all formats and finally got India call-up last year. He also played in the IPL for the first time earlier this year and made it count by taking 11 wickets to his credit.
Thakur’s Mumbai teammate, Shreyas Iyer, who showed a good form in SA with India (A) and struck unbeaten 140 in 131 balls to guide India to victory in the finals, wasn’t lucky enough to be put on the job. Manish Pandey, skipper in India (A), who missed out ICC Champions Trophy and West Indies (WI) tour due to injury and was replaced by Dinesh Karthik, was recalled after a good show in the tri-series.
Also, Rohit Sharma, who was rested for WI limited overs tour after the Champions Trophy, made a comeback along with Bumrah. Rohit was also given the responsibility of vice-captain of the Indian team. Earlier, another Mumbai batsman, Ajinkya Rahane was the deputy to Virat Kohli but Rahane hasn’t been a regular in playing XI in the limited overs cricket in recent times.
Rohit has led his IPL franchise Mumbai Indians, who are the reigning champions, to three titles and one Champions League win. His leadership skills have have been acclaimed from the likes of his franchise coaches Ricky Ponting, Mahela Jayawardene and MSK Prasad-led BCCI selection panel has given him the responsibility for the national team now.
