Ajinkya Rahane Urges Team Management to Use Shardul Thakur with New Ball Against England
Ajinkya Rahane, a key player for India, has recommended that Shardul Thakur be given the chance to bowl with the new ball alongside Jasprit Bumrah in the remaining matches of the series against England. In the recent first Test, Thakur didn’t get enough bowling opportunities under captain Shubman Gill, managing only 16 overs across both innings. During his six-over stint in the first innings, he went wicketless, conceding 38 runs.
In the second innings, Thakur bowled ten overs, taking the crucial wickets of Ben Duckett, who scored 149, and Harry Brook, who was out for zero. Rahane believes that Thakur could start with the new ball in the upcoming second Test, suggesting that Mohammed Siraj should come in as the first change when the Dukes ball begins to swing.
“Typically, the Dukes ball starts moving after around 10 or 12 overs. If Shardul begins bowling with Bumrah and Siraj follows as the first change, it would be beneficial. I’d love to see Shardul bowl more overs; if given the chance, he could take more wickets,” Rahane shared on his YouTube channel.
Furthermore, Rahane emphasized Thakur’s ability to swing the ball in both directions, which is crucial for an all-rounder in the team. He reiterated, “Shardul has experience and has performed well in Test cricket abroad. I really want to see him utilized more effectively. His skill in swinging the ball makes him a valuable wicket-taker, whether he bowls with the new ball or as the first change.”
Thakur has played five Tests in England, taking 12 wickets at an average of 38.33 and scoring 178 runs across nine innings, averaging 19.77 with three half-centuries. His standout moment came during the dramatic win at the Oval in 2021, where he took three wickets and scored fifties in both innings.
However, some experts have suggested replacing Thakur with Kuldeep Yadav in the lineup for the second Test. The team management’s decision on this potential change will be awaited as they look to bounce back in the next match.
