Former India cricketer Ajit Agarkar suggested that India should play Shardul Thakur ahead of Umesh Yadav in the rescheduled Test against England. India lead by 2-1 in the five-match which was postponed last year due to COVID-19 outbreak in the camp.
It was India’s aggressive approach and exceptional pace bowling with took Engalnd’s 20 wickets in three matches and put them on backfoot. Apart from Joe Root, all the other English batters had failed miserably against our top notch bowling attack.
With Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj almost being a certainty in the playing XI, it would be interesting to look forward to who India go with next. ‘Lord’ Thakur as he fondly called by his fans, Shardul can get some handy runs, and is able to do his magic by breaking the partnerships others bowlers fail to. Whereas Umesh being an amazing bowler is not too good with the bat.
Ajit Agarkar feels that India should pick Shardul ahead of Umesh as he adds strength to the batting order. The veteran India pacer feels that choosing Umesh or Prasidh Krishna will stretch India’s tail which might backfire for them.
Here’s what he had to say about Shardul-
“Shardul Thakur offers a bit more with the bat at number 8 and if there is help for the seamers then he becomes even more effective if there is some swing on offer. I think that’s the way India will go otherwise the tail becomes a little bit too long if you look at someone like Umesh Yadav or even Prasidh Krishna who has been included in the squad for the one-off Test. Shardul probably would make if India go with four seamers,” Ajit said.
Shardul has played seven Test matches for India so far and scored three half-centuries in them batting in crucial situations and has managed to take a handful of wickets.
Agarkar also praised Cheteshwar Pujara who is making a comeback into the Indian team who has had an exquisite time playing in the Sussex cricket where he hit four centuries including two double centuries for his team.
