Aakash Chopra: Shardul Thakur Gets Little Credit For The Way He Bowls
The Indian batting lineup performed well as a whole, aiding the visitors to a decisive 200-run victory against the West Indies in Tuesday’s third and final ODI at Trinidad.
Ishan Kishan (77 runs, 64 balls, 8 fours, and three sixes) and Shubman Gill (85 runs, 92 balls, and eleven fours) put on 143 runs in only 19.4 overs before stand-in captain Hardik Pandya (70 not out, 52 balls, four fours, and five sixes), and Sanju Samson (51 runs, 41 balls, and two fours) helped India set the hosts a difficult 352-run total.
Shai Hope’s team was bowled out for just 151 in 35.3 overs as the West Indies failed to gain any momentum in the next innings. Pacer Shardul Thakur got 4/37 in 6.3 overs. While spinner Kuldeep Yadav grabbed 2/25, the other fast bowler Mukesh Kumar replied with scores of 3/30.
Thakur’s performance surprised Aakash Chopra, who noted that Shardul already had three wickets in the last game. He receives virtually little praise for his bowling technique. I’m trying to understand how he manages to take so many wickets while still being pricey.
Since the 2019 World Cup, Thakur has taken the most ODI wickets among Indian bowlers. He has played 32 games and grabbed 48 wickets in those games, two more than Kuldeep Yadav in the same amount of games. The economy shouldn’t be a major concern if you take three wickets since the goal of 300 will be set. He must offer between 6.1 and 6.2 runs per over and cannot give more. The likelihood of him getting a wicket is pretty high given the volume of balls he delivers, according to Chopra.
“We say it’s wicket-taking luck, but if you closely observe Shardul, the reason why he has the wicket-taking luck is because he bowls in those areas and he has a lot of belief,” the former India opener said. If you ever inquire, “How do you do?” “Equal to Dennis Lillee!” he would reply. He is confident like that, and I adore him for it.
Shardul Thakur’s name might be in the mix since the ODI World Cup will be hosted in India from October 5 to November 19 and the team management is aiming to offer players opportunity to secure their spots before the showcase.
“I am pleased with my eight wicket haul in this series. We wait years for this chance as cricket players; sometimes we succeed, sometimes we don’t.
After the game, Shardul commented, “Whichever series I play, that always boost my confidence because I am only adding experience to my career.”
“I never believe that I must perform to guarantee my position because I am not the sort of player to play with that attitude.
“If I am not selected for the World Cup team, it is their decision; there is not much I can do about it. I always aim to play well for the team and in accordance with the circumstances of a game.
Shardul, a right-arm seamer who bats further down the order, believes he has a part to play, and for the last two years, he has consistently been a member of the ODI team.
“I believe I only participated in one one-day series; specifically, I did not play in the home series versus Sri Lanka. I’m not sure why I wasn’t selected at that time, but I’ve played in every other ODI series over the last two years.
“I believe that the team wants something from me in return for keeping me on the club. I always feel that the squad has faith in me since they give me the opportunity to play,” he stated.
As an all-rounder who bats later down the order, my task also becomes crucial since in recent years, we have a tendency to play with a deep batting lineup. That part is really vital.
“Whenever I get the chance, I strive to help the team win, whether it’s with the bat, the ball, or in the fielding position. At the end of the day, I should be satisfied with my work; my performances ought to make an influence in whatever field they are, he said.
