Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur remains hopeful of making a return to the national team setup despite slipping down India’s pecking order of seam-bowling all-rounders. The 34-year-old, who last played an ODI during the 2023 World Cup, stated that he is determined to reclaim his place and is targeting a berth in the 2027 ODI World Cup squad.
Shardul Thakur confident of forcing his way back into contention
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana were the two most talked about figures after India's recent ODI series against Australia when the question of the No. 8 all-rounder position came up. Nevertheless, Thakur is of the opinion that the 2027 World Cup is far enough away for him to work his way up with good showings in the local circuit.
“It’s important for me to keep performing and eventually return to the Indian team. Good performances will help me in selection. There might be a place open for bowling all-rounders at number 8 in the ODI World Cup in South Africa. So, I am, of course, eyeing that spot. Whenever I am selected, I am ready to play international cricket,” Thakur said after Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh ended in a draw at the MCA Ground in BKC.
Though Thakur has been dropped from the Indian limited-overs squads, he featured in the Test squad during the England tour earlier this year. On the domestic front, the all-rounder is gearing up for Mumbai's next Ranji match against Rajasthan, which is starting on November 1 in Jaipur.
Thakur was also positive about Yashasvi Jaiswal's comeback to the Mumbai team and said that his arrival could strengthen the team's top order. "He has never let anyone down and has always racked up big scores. Once he gets in and is comfortable, he makes sure that he scores a big hundred. That is a big plus," Thakur stated.
