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Ashwin Questions Under-Utilisation of Shardul Thakur By Gambhir, Gill
Follow UsShardul bowled only six overs in the first innings, and then 10 in the second one
Shardul Thakur played as a bowling all-rounder in the first Test against England, but failed to perform in either of the roles. While he got out playing expansive shots, his bowling was seriously underutilised by skipper Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir as he bowled only six overs in the first innings, and then 10 in the second one.
Former Indian cricketer R. Ashwin questioned India’s plan regarding Shardul and felt that the team management failed to maximise his potential, as he has a good matchup against Joe Root.
“You have taken Shardul Thakur in the team and didn’t give him a ball in the first 40 overs. And Joe Root was batting. And Shardul has a very decent match-up against Joe Root. So, if Shardul Thakur’s role is not less, then I genuinely rate Shardul as a cricketer,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin mentioned how his role was very limited throughout the Test despite his ability to make things happen, and hence, it would be unfair to question his performance in the Test.
“He has caught Ben Duckett and Harry Brook. He can make things happen. But he has to use them at the right time. But if this is going to be the way he is going to be used, I don’t think he is really making any sense. Because he has to be given the ball for him to make a difference. He didn’t bowl that much in the first 40 overs,” Ashwin added..
“He didn’t bowl that much in the second innings either. Obviously, much more than the first innings. So, his role was very limited and I think it is very unfair to raise an argument on what he did.”
Ashwin and Shardul’s Indian teammate Ajinkya Rahane raised similar points on his YouTube channel and asked the team management to give the new ball to Shardul and use him properly as an all-rounder.
“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,” Rahane said.
“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,” the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy winning skipper added.