New Delhi: Shardul Thakur, recognized as a prominent all-rounder for India, showcased an impressive performance against Jammu and Kashmir, helping his team recover from a challenging position after Mumbai’s top order faltered. He criticized the Indian selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, for not considering him despite his consistent performances and fitness. Thakur emphasized that players with proven abilities should receive more chances instead of being overlooked.
“What can I talk about my quality? Others should talk about it. They should see that if someone has quality, he should be given more chances,” Shardul Thakur told the media
“I like batting in difficult situations. In easy situations, everyone does well, but how you put up the show in adverse situations matters. I see tough situations as a challenge and always think about how to overcome that challenge,” he further said.
Mumbai found themselves in a difficult position at 47/7 when Shardul Thakur stepped up to bat and scored 51 runs off 57 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes. His contribution enabled Mumbai to post a total of 120 runs. Despite Thakur’s impressive performance, Indian captain Rohit Sharma, making his first Ranji appearance in ten years, had a lackluster outing, scoring only three runs before being dismissed.
Mumbai encountered initial difficulties, but the 63-run partnership between Thakur and Tanush Kotian provided much-needed stability to the team’s innings. Thakur has consistently been a key player for Mumbai; during the 2024 Ranji Trophy semi-final against Tamil Nadu, he scored 109 runs from 105 balls. However, despite his reliable performances, Shardul Thakur remained unsold in the Indian Premier League (IPL).