Follow UsTeam India slipped to defeat in the first Test against England at Headingley, and something bizarre from the game was how skipper Shubman Gill used Shardul Thakur. Despite being picked as the fourth seamer, Shardul only bowled a total of 16 overs in the contest, with him sending down just six overs in England’s first innings which lasted 100.4 overs.
Someone not too pleased with India’s usage of Shardul is Ajinkya Rahane, who believes the all-rounder, going forward, must be utilised better by the tourists.
"In England, I feel, all-rounder's role is very important. Shardul Thakur has been an experienced player for the Indian team and he's done really well in Tests overseas. I want to see more overs from Shardul. If India can use Shardul better, that will be great,” Rahane said on his YouTube channel, which was launched recently.
Rahane even floated the idea of India potentially opening the bowling with Shardul, throwing him the brand new Dukes ball.
"Shardul is someone who can swing the ball both ways and he is a wicket-taker. He can come first-change, or the captain can even give him the new ball. The Dukes Ball generally starts to do things after 10 or 12 overs - if Shardul can start the bowling with Bumrah and Siraj can come first change, that will be really great,” Rahane said.
"I would like to see Shardul bowling many overs. Give him the freedom, and he will get you those wickets.”
Despite only bowling 16 overs in the match, Shardul, in the second innings, claimed the wickets of Ben Duckett and Harry Brook in consecutive deliveries.