India lost the first Test of the five-match Test series against England by 5 wickets in Leeds. Apart from 5 centuries and Jasprit Bumrah’s fifer in the first innings, no other player could manage to step up, including the all-rounder Shardul Thakur.
He also failed to contribute to the game. He scored only five runs across two innings and picked up just two wickets in his 16 overs bowling in the entire game, and his limited bowling hinted that India captain Shubman Gill was not confident with the bowler on the flat surface at Headingley, Leeds. And, veteran India player Ajinkya Rahane opined on the importance of an all-rounder in the team and urged Gill to let Shardul perform freely as well.
“I feel an all-rounder’s role is very important. Shardul Thakur has been an experienced player and has done well in Test cricket overseas. I want to see more overs from Shardul. If the Indian team can use Shardul Thakur in a better way, that will be really great. Whatever I have seen with him, he can swing the ball both ways and is a wicket-taker. If Shardul can bowl the first change or even given the new ball he can swing it both ways,” said Ajinkya Rahane on his YouTube channel.
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“With the Dukes ball, it generally starts to behave after 10 or 12 overs. If Shardul can start the bowling with Bumrah and Siraj can come in as one change, that will be great. I would like to see Shardul bowling more overs. Give him that freedom, he will get you more wickets,” he further added.
However, Rahane applauded Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling but also said that other bowlers need to step up too to put pressure on the opponents.
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“Bumrah’s five wicket-haul in the first innings was amazing. Apart from his five wickets what I liked about Bumrah was his intent. The way he was running in his run-up. His intensity throughout his bowling was amazing. The lines and lengths that he bowled. He was aggressive throughout in his bowling approach,” said Rahane again.
“What I would like to see is support from the other end. Bumrah is obviously bowling his attacking lengths but if he can support from Siraj and Prasidh, that will be great for him. You don’t want Bumrah to go under pressure and start bowling too many overs and the pressure comes on the team. I want to see Siraj taking that responsibility and also Prasidh if he plays that second Test match,” Ajinkya Rahane concluded.
