Shardul Thakur - an 'un'-inspired selection for India?

[MenInG]

7/61 for Thakur - totally turned the match around for India.

[BunnyRabbit]

Injects a lot of energy in the Indian team whether it's by bowling or batting.

[Mp812]

7/61 for Thakur - totally turned the match around for India.

If he manages to score a 50+ now in this second innings... he will have played match winning all rounder roles in Aus and SA in 1year career

[Napa]

As I've always maintained, a nothing bowler gets some fluke wickets. His batting may come off once in a while though.

Yes quite sure. Thakur and the Currans are confirming their lack of quality with every outing.

Thakur 7/61 average 8.7 per wicket

Rest of Indian bowlers (Bumrah, Shami, Siraj and Ashwin) 3/160 average 53.3 per wicket

[JaDed]

Makes me grateful for Ranji trophy honestly, now only if IPL could bring in some middle order LOI batsmen lol.

[Napa]

If he manages to score a 50+ now in this second innings... he will have played match winning all rounder roles in Aus and SA in 1year career

England too... his counterattacking 57 when India were down 127/7 brought it back in the game at Oval. He also took the wickets of the English high scorers, Pope in the 1st innings and Burns and Root in the 2nd. MoM Rohit said Thakur also deserved the award.

Good to remember he isn't given the new ball and only gets to bowl when it is old. India is fortunate that Siraj pulled a hamstring, otherwise Thakur would not have been given much opportunity to bowl and SA would have scored 400+.

[happydavy]

I think Virat has cracked the code in the last 5 years that he doesn't need players who will take 400 test wickets or score 10000 runs. He is looking at players who may end up taking just 100 wickets in their test career but would have won quite a few matches with those 100 wickets. I think Shardul is going to be one such player and that's why he played him over crybaby Ashwin.

[Cover Drive Six]

England too... his counterattacking 57 when India were down 127/7 brought it back in the game at Oval. He also took the wickets of the English high scorers, Pope in the 1st innings and Burns and Root in the 2nd. MoM Rohit said Thakur also deserved the award.

Good to remember he isn't given the new ball and only gets to bowl when it is old. India is fortunate that Siraj pulled a hamstring, otherwise Thakur would not have been given much opportunity to bowl and SA would have scored 400+.

Actually Thakur deserved that MOM.
Shardul 57+60 with the bat and took 3 wickets. 100 partnership with the bat at 7th wicket.

Rohit dropped thrice in that match.

[Unbiased-Fan]

Thakur is very underrated, underestimated and underappreciated cricketer. He is not chased by media because of his common man looks, but he is simply very honest and hard working guy.
He has already contributed significantly in our tough overseas victories. Poor guy deserved to win man of the match awards in both Gabba and Oval wins. Pandya has many things to learn from Thakur.

[Saurav]

guy with a big heart.

[Marathonrunner]

Lord Thakur has risen from one of the most remote part of Mumbai. Good to see him perform well again and adding his value in the Indian team , great bowling with old ball

[Napa]

Lord Thakur has risen from one of the most remote part of Mumbai. Good to see him perform well again and adding his value in the Indian team , great bowling with old ball

He may be great with the new ball too, but Kohli won't give it to him

[Marathonrunner]

He may be great with the new ball too, but Kohli won't give it to him

True, more Lord performs and contributes to match winning position then more pressure would be on King Kohli to hand the new ball to him . Let’s hope for the best.

[Mesozoic]

Series winning contribution with the bat and ball in Australia.

Potential series winning contribution with the bat and ball in England.

Now another series defining bowling performance in South Africa.

Probably the most impactful test cricketer since January 2021.

[jeeteshssaxena]

Test kaptan Kohli is also just as stupid (luckily others usually cover up for his mistakes) but there atleast he deserves credit for other things he has done

Looks like Kohli got it right while you were wrong all along. Similar to 4 fast bowler strategy where again he was spot on.

[Mp812]

Not even the harshest of his critics can begrudge Thakur his front man status at the Wanderers in an attack featuring two of India's best in Bumrah and Shami. For, in a 12-month period, Thakur has evolved from being a net bowler to scoring a half-century and taking seven wickets at Gabba, hitting the fastest Test fifty in England in a win at Oval and registering the best bowling figures (7 wkts for 60 odd)in India-South Africa contests.
He can play different roles and take on many different forms just as a bowler or just as a batter.
So call him lucky or call him whatever anyone wants. He has proven himself an asset for the team again and again.

[Napa]

My favourite poster on here after

Read the first page of this thread. Many posters should be apologizing after having earlier trashed Thakur

[Napa]

India has much better bowlers. I don't know why they are wasting their time on him.

Tests: Bowling S/R 33, bowling average 19.17, batting average 25.50.

You are not to be faulted for underestimating him, even his captain Kohli does the same regularly.

[Dingolfy]

Shardul is a 2nd team county team level cricketer and I have honestly seen far better bowlers playing first team cricket in the Birmingham league.

I would like to these bowlers in Birmingham league.😂😂😂

[RedwoodOriginal]

Tests: Bowling S/R 33, bowling average 19.17, batting average 25.50.

You are not to be faulted for underestimating him, even his captain Kohli does the same regularly.

Can't take anything away from him. He has done brilliantly since last year. I have no shame in admitting that he proved me wrong.

[jnaveen1980]

He is not a frontline bowler. His role is like what Cam green is for Australia. Any contribution is good. 7fer is gold.

[Napa]

He is not a frontline bowler. His role is like what Cam green is for Australia. Any contribution is good. 7fer is gold.

Thakur and Green are not at the same level. Green's best figures till now are 2/23 and his S/R is 76.8 compared to Thakur's 33.2.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/...-green-1076713

Thakur was India's best bowler in the Gabba victory.

[Unbiased-Fan]

He is not a frontline bowler. His role is like what Cam green is for Australia. Any contribution is good. 7fer is gold.

Thakur is a proper bowler, not a part timer like Green. Don't know which cricket you follow.

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Thing is he is playing for a country where fans focus more on show-offs like Pandya and overhype them. He also has to keep justifying his place in the side whereas guys like Pandya get a free ride.

[DeadlyVenom]

This guy looks so innocuous but seems to somehow deliver the goods whenever it matters in test cricket.

Very underrated cricketer

[Napa]

This guy looks so innocuous but seems to somehow deliver the goods whenever it matters in test cricket.

Very underrated cricketer

Love the way he smacks bowlers around.

[Ab Fan]

Top class all rounder and always willing to give his best for the team.

All hail Shardul Thakur!

[Xoib]

Good honest cricketer but I think he is having a tom Bresnan like peak where for couple of seasons he performed like an atg test all rounder and then went back down to his level a hardworking County standard cricketer I believe same will happen with Thakur.

[Mobashir]

Good honest cricketer but I think he is having a tom Bresnan like peak where for couple of seasons he performed like an atg test all rounder and then went back down to his level a hardworking County standard cricketer I believe same will happen with Thakur.

Bresnan at his peak was about 10k's quicker than Thakur here.
He used to be a threat for batsmen. Thakur is a nothing bowler.
Few good performances will not change that. If India go with 4 bowlers, he is going to be the first to be dropped.

[Mobashir]

Why are you always wrong?

Time will tell who is right or wrong regarding Thakur.
I maintain, he is a nothing bowler. No method, no pace, no bowling intelligence, nothing.

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Why are you always wrong?

What about me? Was I wrong about Pandya, KL Rahul, captain Kohli in LOIs and slowly but steadily about Pant?

[Romali_rotti]

I don't know why but Thakur's big hitting, when he does bring it, reminds me of Kapil Dev...

[pillionrider]

Bresnan at his peak was about 10k's quicker than Thakur here.
He used to be a threat for batsmen. Thakur is a nothing bowler.
Few good performances will not change that. If India go with 4 bowlers, he is going to be the first to be dropped.

Bresnan bowled 145-150

[CrIc_Mystique]

I don't know why but Thakur's big hitting, when he does bring it, reminds me of Kapil Dev...

Probably because of the flair, the raised leg Natraj shot whip off the legs/hook/pull and the hip swivel when coverdriving

[CrIc_Mystique]

Makes me grateful for Ranji trophy honestly, now only if IPL could bring in some middle order LOI batsmen lol.

True. and another guy who i feel is product of the Ranji trophy and the system we have is Axshar Patel.
yep, MO batsmen will be needed largescale.
Not only MO, even quicks and spinners. Soon we will see Ishant, Shami, Umesh, rohit, che pu, jinks, jads, ash, vk, all leaving in quick succession.
Question is do we have a succession XI, a plan B? I admit to being critical of IPL and thought it was just giggle and hit paint spill uniform overy hyped league, but it still gave us Jazz, washi sundar, natrajan, ishan, and several others.
End of the day - the main feeder has to be Uni, the age groups, the A and U -19 tours via the Ranji System.

[Mobashir]

As bad as you get!
Despite the 7 wickets no one rates him. He has been given the ball just to finish the loss. No trust shown by the captain.

[pillionrider]

As bad as you get!
Despite the 7 wickets no one rates him. He has been given the ball just to finish the loss. No trust shown by the captain.

The Pak batting lineup is one that's ripe for Thakur sir's taking, if they ever get to face him

[DRsohail]

Slowly and gradually he will be the same cricketer as his record shows, but yes has done well so far in his short career.

[shamaan]

He maybe Limited but aslong as he fills his role as an all rounder he has done his job.

[Ab Fan]

If India has to continue winning matches overseas, they just have to look at our greatest test match win and what really was changed in that match.

The answer is simple. The major change was Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur.

For overseas, these two must play all tests for India. That is India's best bet. Washington Sundar and four pacers which include Shardul Thakur as one of them.

[Napa]

If India has to continue winning matches overseas, they just have to look at our greatest test match win and what really was changed in that match.

The answer is simple. The major change was Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur.

For overseas, these two must play all tests for India. That is India's best bet. Washington Sundar and four pacers which include Shardul Thakur as one of them.

Good post. We need Sundar and Thakur in the team. Also, Ashwin and Jadeja have failed too many times in SENA. I would give Axar Patel a try, given that he has been India's best spinner in India. His bowling has an unreal average of 11.9 and a S/R of 33.6. His batting is good too, an average of 29.8.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/axar-patel-554691

[Mobashir]

Why are you always wrong?

Yeah, try it again 👌

[jeeteshssaxena]

Yeah, try it again 👌

Try what exactly?
Shardul the test cricketer averages 20 odd with the ball.
Changing goalposts, are we?
You have clearly written above that he won't take 50 test wickets.

[Junaids]

If India has to continue winning matches overseas, they just have to look at our greatest test match win and what really was changed in that match.

The answer is simple. The major change was Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur.

For overseas, these two must play all tests for India. That is India's best bet. Washington Sundar and four pacers which include Shardul Thakur as one of them.

Exactly.

These two provide lovely balance at 7 and 8 to support three quick bowlers.

[cricketjoshila]

Thakur as a 4th seamer makes sense in tests in SENA. Lower order batting plus in SENA conditions he takes wicket with the red ball.

In LoIs neither he nor Bhuvi nor Chahar makes sense. They are same medium pace swingers. On true hard pitches they will be slaughtered.

[Mobashir]

Try what exactly?
Shardul the test cricketer averages 20 odd with the ball.
Changing goalposts, are we?
You have clearly written above that he won't take 50 test wickets.

And so what? He has 50 test wickets? I still say the same, he will not get there, or that mean it's really bad days for indian cricket to play useless players like Thakur.

[Napa]

And so what? He has 50 test wickets? I still say the same, he will not get there, or that mean it's really bad days for indian cricket to play useless players like Thakur.

You need to respect data. Thakur's strike rate is 33, while Bumrah's is 45, Shami's is 50 and Siraj's is 55. So Thakur should get to 50 wickets faster than most.

[Mobashir]

You need to respect data. Thakur's strike rate is 33, while Bumrah's is 45, Shami's is 50 and Siraj's is 55. So Thakur should get to 50 wickets faster than most.

It is not how cricket works. He just isn't good enough for international cricket.

[Napa]

It is not how cricket works. He just isn't good enough for international cricket.

Really? He takes wickets faster than other bowlers at a lower average and he is not good enough?

Was India’s highest wicket taker with 7 wickets in the historic Gabba win. Took the 3 biggest English wickets in the Oval win.

How does international cricket work? By having bowlers who don’t take wickets?

[jeeteshssaxena]

Really? He takes wickets faster than other bowlers at a lower average and he is not good enough?

Was India’s highest wicket taker with 7 wickets in the historic Gabba win. Took the 3 biggest English wickets in the Oval win.

How does international cricket work? By having bowlers who don’t take wickets?

Also the fact that he is not just a bowler but a handy batsman too.
A very good cricketer to have in your team.

[Mobashir]

Also the fact that he is not just a bowler but a handy batsman too.
A very good cricketer to have in your team.

Yes, his 2 come back overs sealed the match today 👌

[James]

If India has to continue winning matches overseas, they just have to look at our greatest test match win and what really was changed in that match.

The answer is simple. The major change was Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur.

For overseas, these two must play all tests for India. That is India's best bet. Washington Sundar and four pacers which include Shardul Thakur as one of them.

Good post and agree.

[Napa]

Yes, his 2 come back overs sealed the match today ��

Thakur came in to bowl when the score was 109/0 and the RRR was 5.42. The match sealed by then. He at least took the first SA wicket.

Also currently the best Indian batsman in the ODI series with scores of 50* of 43, and 40* of 38.
@jeeteshssaxena

[Mobashir]

Thakur came in to bowl when the score was 109/0 and the RRR was 5.42. The match sealed by then. He at least took the first SA wicket.

Also currently the best Indian batsman in the ODI series with scores of 50* of 43, and 40* of 38.
@jeeteshssaxena

His 50 in the first match was as useless as it can get.
Today's contribution was good, nothing more.

Pant's and Dhawan's innings are the two best played by Indians so far in the series.

[Napa]

His 50 in the first match was as useless as it can get.
Today's contribution was good, nothing more.

Pant's and Dhawan's innings are the two best played by Indians so far in the series.

Useless? His 50 came at a S/R was 116 and the required S/R was 98.

Dhawan's 79 was not bad, but the S/R was only 94.

Pant's 81 has been the best innings from an Indian in the series, but I wrote "currently the best Indian batsman in the ODI series". I was talking about the series and not a particular innings. He also bats low down in the order when there isn't time to build an innings.

[James]

Shardul Thakur with the bat in ODIs:

10 innings
197 runs @ 39.40
SR: 127.09

[topspin]

I really enjoy his medium pace bowling reminds me of the glorious Indian pace attack in the 90s.

[Ahmed216]

An honest trier but he has his limitations. In bowling his low pace will always hamper him and in batting he cannot play match winning innings

[Caved12]

No matter how good Thakur is, he can't continue playing for India with his current fitness level. This is where Virat was great as he never allowed anyone to remain unfit. Today he could not bring himself to the crease to bowl that first ball of his fourth over. His body seemed to be very stiff and he got hit for a four right away because he had no choice but to bowl a loosener. There are captains and coaches who would never allow you to play more games if they see something like that.

[Mobashir]

No matter how good Thakur is, he can't continue playing for India with his current fitness level. This is where Virat was great as he never allowed anyone to remain unfit. Today he could not bring himself to the crease to bowl that first ball of his fourth over. His body seemed to be very stiff and he got hit for a four right away because he had no choice but to bowl a loosener. There are captains and coaches who would never allow you to play more games if they see something like that.

And under whose captaincy has he played most of his previous matches? Or was he fit then? Just lost his fitness when Kohli lost the captaincy?
Ah the story tellers posters like you...

[Ab Fan]

Shardul Thakur is a fine all rounder. Problem is this management's attachment towards playing with trundlers.

If you have Shardul or Deepak as third pacer, atleast try your second pacer to be someone who can bowl fast at good clips. Siraj is injured so could have tried Prasidh Krishna as he is in the squad and is a wicket taking option. Bhuvi is no longer good enough and should be dropped from all forms of cricket.

The bowling attack should be :-

1.Bumrah
2.135-145 KPh fast bowler ( Prasidh/Shami/Siraj)
3.Shardul/Deepak( bowling A/R)
4. Spinner( clearly lack of quality there in LOs, should try Bishnoi)
5. Second spinner who bats at 7 or 8( Jadeja and backup is Axar)

That should be good enough.

[Caved12]

And under whose captaincy has he played most of his previous matches? Or was he fit then? Just lost his fitness when Kohli lost the captaincy?
Ah the story tellers posters like you...

What are you talking about? It is a well known fact that Virat changed the culture of this indian team and got everyone to take their fitness seriously. It takes time to get someone fit and if they allowed Virat to stick around, he was completely going to change the physique/fitness of every indian player to another level. Rohit and Pant are two other players who never listened to Virat and kept growing their beer bellies. Virat lost support long ago and you can see how Rohit and few other players never listened to him when it came to fitness.

[sensible-indian-fan]

Looks like Kohli got it right while you were wrong all along. Similar to 4 fast bowler strategy where again he was spot on.

What's your take on this after SA series?

[sensible-indian-fan]

What's your take on this after SA series?

Shardul the LOI bowler is NOT the same as Shardul the Test bowler.

[pratiktc]

He is extremely limited talent wise and looks nothing special but has already given great value somehow in short career.

I think he is extremely lucky as a bowler and is benefiting from some helpful wkts and batter complacence.

However big props to him for effort spent in improving his batting. He was a hack slogger at Sohail Tanvir/Hasan Ali level throughout domestic career but has shown great application in becoming serviceable tailender after reaching national level.

[MenInG]

Best figures for Shardul in IPL:

4/36 vs PBKS Mumbai DYP 2022
3/19 vs PBKS Pune 2017
3/28 vs PBKS Dubai 2021

[cricketjoshila]

Best figures for Shardul in IPL:

4/36 vs PBKS Mumbai DYP 2022
3/19 vs PBKS Pune 2017
3/28 vs PBKS Dubai 2021

This guy will be the reason we will lose in the t20 WC.

[Mobashir]

This guy will be the reason we will lose in the t20 WC.

He will not play. No one is foolish enough to play him in a world cup game.