Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has lashed out at Shardul Thakur for his poor fitness standards before the second Test against England at Edgbaston, which starts on Wednesday (July 2). He shared how the allrounder has failed to grab his opportunities, questioning his intention to do well also.

Brad Hogg said on his YouTube channel: “I was talking about Thakur there; you’ve got to get 20 wickets. Thakur is not the finished player around. He’s an all-rounder; he’s been given enough opportunities. This is one thing that frustrates me. Virat Kohli, a fitness pro regime when he was captain; he led from the front both on and off the field. Thakur has got his opportunities. He’s been in and out.”

“He’s been dropped from IPL teams as well where he has nearly missed out on contracts there. If you really want it, you’ve got to have that desire. If you don’t have the desire, well, you’re not gonna make it to the top of your game. That’s one thing that frustrates me because there’s so much talent, but I just don’t think he’s looking after his body well enough, making those sacrifices that you need to make… to get the best out of your skills. And I don’t wanna be very hard on him, I’ve been very hard on him, but he could be a genuine all-rounder in Test cricket. He’s got the ability with the bat, ball, but he just lets himself down,” he further added.

Meanwhile, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar wants left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav to replace Shardul Thakur in India’s playing XI in the second Test against England as well.

He told JioHotstar (via Hindustan Times): “I’m sorry, but Shardul Thakur has to go out. I think Kuldeep Yadav has to come back. I’m sorry to say, but that is one change India will have to make. Pick your best bowlers, irrespective of the conditions. You don’t have the luxury of someone like Mohammed Shami available, or the full-strength pace battery, so I’d go one seamer short and bring Kuldeep Yadav into the XI.”