After playing in the Tests on the England tour earlier this year, Shardul Thakur has not given up hope of returning to the white ball, the all-rounder has his eyes set on the 2027 ODI World Cup. The 34-year-old has played 47 ODIs, 25 T20Is and 13 Tests, with his last appearance in white-ball cricket coming in the 2023 ODI World Cup match against Bangladesh in Pune. When asked about his future, Thakur said, “What is important for me is to play matches and perform.
” Story continues below this advertisement “To get back into the Indian team, I need to continue to put in good, match-winning performances, which will ultimately help in selection. ” And, yes, the ODI World Cup is also in South Africa, so there could be a spot vacant for a bowling all-rounder at No. 8.
I am, of course, keeping an eye on that spot,” he said. Thakur said he will continue to aim for selection in India.
“Whenever the Indian team needs me or whenever I am there. Selected, I am ready to play international cricket.
My preparation is such that if tomorrow I am asked to play international cricket, I am ready. ” Story continues below this advertisement.
Thakur confirmed that India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal will play for Mumbai in the third round of the Ranji Trophy, a match against Rajasthan in Jaipur. He said, ‘He is very experienced in international cricket and domestic cricket also.
He never disappointed us in entertaining and performing. He has made big scores.
We have seen both domestically and internationally,” Thakur said. “When he gets set, he makes sure he gets a big century and that is a big positive.
There are expectations from everyone. Even when he comes, he is expected to perform for the team. ” Talking about Mumbai’s drawn match against Chhattisgarh, Thakur said that the pitch at the BKC Ground here was tough for their bowlers.
Story continues below this advertisement “I think the pitch was slow, it was not easy to take wickets. We bowled well in the first innings and that is why the spinners got wickets.
But in the second innings, he must have also planned how to play. He said, “He batted well in the second innings and eventually the bowlers got tired. It is not easy to win games outright in 4-4.
5 sessions,” Thakur said.