Pathan said India have to be smart enough to manage Thakur nicely.
Pacer Shardul Thakur has been constantly showing his potential with the bat ever since he made his debut for India, leading many to call the side to play the pacer as an all-rounder in the playing XI, but former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels no decision should be taken in haste.
Pathan said India should handle Thakur in a smart manner and urged fans not to put pressure of the expectations on the 29-year-old and let him grow as a cricketer.
The right-hander has been dubbed as an all-rounder after he hit two consecutive fifties in the ongoing five-match Test series against England with many calling him to promote up to the order.
Pathan told Times of India: “We’ve to be smart enough to manage him nicely. By that, I mean that we don't put added pressure on him by promoting him from No 8 to No 7. Right now, he’s shown signs of being a good, handy lower-order batsman. He’s a very, very good No. 8 batsman at the highest level.”
He added, “In modern-day cricket, it’s not just about No. 7...You need a guy who bats well, a match-winner at No. 8 as well. With a guy like Shardul at that slot, you may not need a top-quality allrounder at No 7. Let him settle in this position, and get better, and then put extra pressure on him.
Don’t put high expectations on him, when he may not be yet ready to bat at No. 7. You’ve to be cautious about it. As of now, let things remain as they are and give him more matches at no.8. Let him grow as a cricketer.”
Praising Thakur, who has so far played 4 Tests, 15 ODIs, and 22 T20Is for India, the former all-rounder said: “There’s a lot to like about him — his bowling action, work ethics. He tries to give it all whenever he plays. He has contributed outstandingly in England so far… However, don’t jump the gun in calling him an all-rounder or not calling him one.”
He continued, “Let’s be patient with him. Just give him some time and space. Let him be a contributor for some time, and we can call him (an all-rounder) when the time comes. Don’t hurry. He’s shown potential. He can add things to his game, but with proper timing and planning.”
Pathan also said Shardul isn’t just an IPL product but is a proven domestic cricketer who contributes as much as he can both at the highest level and the domestic cricket.
He concluded, “He’s a fit cricketer, who’s done well for Mumbai in first-class cricket. Whenever he’s played for India, he’s tried to contribute as much as he can. That’s the kind of a cricketer you want in your team. He might go for some runs, he can blow hot and cold in bowling, which can happen since he’s an aggressive pace bowler who tries to take wickets.
He has that mindset. I like him. He’s got heaps of experience in first-class cricket before playing for India. It’s not that he’s just an IPL product.”
(With TOI Inputs)