"I wish he had continued" - Shardul Thakur reacts to Kohli's decision to step down as T20I captain

Thakur was named in the India reserves for the T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman.

By Swapnil Shireesh Javkhedkar - 18 Sep, 2021

Team India all-rounder Shardul Thakur was into the spotlight after his fantastic performances in Test arena which include a fantastic 67 at The Gabba where India registered their second consecutive Test series win on Australian soil along with a couple of fifties against England which helped the team to register a historic win at The Oval.

Considering his Test heroics, Thakur was picked in the India reserves for the T20 World Cup as the selectors opted for five spinners in the 15-member squad. The all-rounder in his latest interaction with Times of India revealed that he was a ‘little disappointed’ to not see his name in the main squad.

Yes, I am a little disappointed. It’s everyone’s dream to play and win the World Cup for your country. If you talk about the Oval Test, then yes, it (my performance) was (in) red-ball format,Thakur told the Times of India.

But if you see, I have done well in both the departments in white-ball cricket too over a period of last two years. Now I’m a part of the reserves for the World Cup, so I guess I have to be ready. I can get a call-up at any moment,” he added.

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The bowling all-rounder then talked about how he was shocked with Virat Kohli deciding to step down as India’s T20I Captain after the upcoming T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman.

It’s quite surprising. I wish he had continued (as captain after the T20 World Cup too), but he has done the job for India since the past few years. So according to him, maybe it's time to move on as the India T20 captain,” the India cricketer said.

I haven’t had the opportunity to speak to him. I would like to congratulate him on his time as the India T20 captain, but only after we win this World Cup. Till then, he is still our captain,” the right-arm quick added.

As far as the upcoming T20 World Cup is concerned, India will be playing their campaign opener against arch-rivals Pakistan on 24 October at Dubai.

(With Times of India Inputs)

By Swapnil Shireesh Javkhedkar - 18 Sep, 2021

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