Indian bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been in and out of the Indian team for sometime now. The Mumbai based pacer has not managed to cement his place in the starting eleven yet. But his childhood coach Dinesh Lad believes and wishes that his student is selected for the upcoming World Cup squad that is scheduled to happen in India.
Thakur made his international ODI debut back in August in 2017 during the fourth One Day International against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Overall Thakur has played 27 One Day Internationals and has not been a regular. He has also featured in eight Test matches and 25 T20 Internationals for the Indian team.
However, Shardul Thakur has picked up 39 scalps in 27 One Day matches. At an average of 33.36 and has the best figures of 4/58 against South Africa back in 2018. He has improved his batting a lot as he scored a very fiery half century against the Proteas at the Boland Park though it came on a losing cause for the Men in blue.
In an interview with Sportskeeda Shardul Thakur’s childhood coach Dinesh Lad shared how his student has all the capabilities needed to get selected in the Indian team for the upcoming World Cup. He shared how India needs more allrounders and Thakur’s batting has improved a lot in the last few years. He shared how Thakur can come in late and add finishing touches to an innings which can be very helpful for the team apart from his primary bowling skill.
“Definitely, I want to see him (play 2023 World Cup). Because of his ability, he is a good all-rounder and a good aspect for the team as far as batting is concerned. Now you see, after Pandya getting out, nobody is there to score after that. He is a good option for all-round batting. He should definitely get more chances in the build-up (to 2023 WC),” coach Lad stated.
Shardul Thakur had a par Indian Premier League season with Delhi capital as he picked up 15 wickets but also had a high economy of 9.79 for the Delhi Capitals. But after recent developments Thakur has been traded to the Kolkata Knight Riders where he will probably lead the pace attack along with foreign pace duo of Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee.
Speaking about the things to improve, coach Dinesh Lad feels that he has done enough to get selected in the World Cup squad. He feels that Thakur is not lacking in any area and can be a very vital player for the country. “I don’t think he needs to do much because he has already shown something in T20 cricket. Whenever he came to bowl he gave breakthroughs. I don’t think he is lacking anywhere, “ coach Lad concluded.
