With his efficiency in West Indies, Shardul Thakur has made a powerful case for his choice in India’s World Cup squad, even because the seam-bowling all-rounder seems to be to maintain “contributing” as an alternative of specializing in sealing his place.
Shardul turned out to be probably the most profitable bowler within the ODI collection in opposition to the West Indies, choosing up eight wickets from three video games with a finest bowling figures of 4/37 within the decider right here on Tuesday.
The ODI World Cup shall be held in India from October 5 to November 19, and the workforce administration is seeking to give alternatives to gamers to cement their locations forward of the showpiece.
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“I am happy to have picked up eight wickets in this series. As a cricketer we wait for this opportunity for years, sometimes you perform, sometimes not.
“Whichever series I play that always boost my confidence because I am only adding experience to my career,” Shardul stated after the match.
“I never think that I have to play to seal my spot because I can’t play with that mentality and I am not that type of player.
“If I am not picked in the World Cup squad it’s their call, I cannot do much about it. I always try to perform for the team and play according to the situation of a match.” Shardul, a right-arm seamer who bats decrease down the order, feels he has a job to play and that’s the reason he has been an everyday within the ODI squad within the final two years.
“I think I didn’t play one one-day series, I mean I was not part of the team in the series against Sri Lanka at home. I don’t know why I wasn’t picked then but I have been part of all other ODI series in the last 2 years.
“I think the team expects something from me so I have been kept in the team. Whenever I get a chance to play, I feel the team has confidence in me so they gave me the chance to play,” he stated.
“If you look in the last few years we tend to play with a deep batting line-up, so as an all-rounder who bats lower down the order, my job also becomes important. That role is very crucial.
“Whenever I get an opportunity I try to contribute to the team’s success whether it’s with bat, ball or in fielding. At the end of the day I should be happy that I have made an effort, my performances should be impactful whichever department it is,” he added.
Shardul believes that each recreation from right here is essential for India forward of the World Cup.
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“With World Cup coming up every game that you play is going to be important from the team’s perspective. In batting, bowling and fielding departments, you are going to judge yourself, you are going to score some marks for yourself.
“Also the team management will be looking at you, there will be few players who will be looking at selection as well. For us individually also all games that we play before the World Cup are important,” he stated.
Talking in regards to the series-deciding ODI, Shardul stated it was an entire efficiency from the workforce, and particularly praised Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill for his or her batting exploits.
“In the last match, as a group, we had decided that we will bat first and challenge ourselves how much we can score batting first and then defend that score. It didn’t materialise in the last match but, in today’s match, we put up a good score.
“Shubman and Ishan batted very well in powerplay. They gave us a strong start and that’s why we can put on a big score,” stated the bowler, who can also be known as ‘Palghar Express’.
“We expected a strong fight from West Indies but Mukesh Kumar (3/30) bowled a fine opening spell with the new ball. The first three wickets were crucial. We bowled as a unit.” Yuzvendra Chahal didn’t play a single match within the tour up to now, however Shardul believes the leg-spinner is a confirmed performer. “Chahal is a very good player, he has performed for years and proved himself. But whether to play him or not is the management’s decision.
“The sort of player he is whenever he will play he will perform. He picks up wickets in every match that he plays. I don’t think he will be demoralised by not playing one series,” he stated.
The T20 leg of the tour will begin right here on Thursday.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com