Former Indian cricketers Pragyan Ojha and Deep Dasgupta have backed Shardul Thakur as the third pace option for India in the upcoming third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Test against Australia to be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 7, 2021.
The two cricket analysts have pointed that the Indian cricket team already has Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah who can bowl fast and the tourists should include Shardul in the playing XI to bring in the swing element in the team against Australia who certainly will look for a comeback in the Sydney Test.
Ojha opined: “I think you have a choice here. It’s a very clear choice. Shardul Thakur, who can swing the ball. His strength is swinging the ball, we need someone who can swing the ball. We have someone who can bowl fast, that is Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.”
He further added, “They can move the ball off the wicket, they’re quick. But if you want someone who can swing the ball then you can go for Shardul Thakur. And if you want someone who can bowl quick and hit the deck, you’ve got Navdeep Saini. So, this is a luxury for you [Team India], at this point also when you have so many injuries. It’s up to the team management what they want.”
Meanwhile, Dasgupta also agreed with Ojha, saying Thakur could be an advantage for India given his strength to swing the ball and the conditions in Sydney for the New Year’s Test.
He further explained, “I agree with Pragyan because both of them [Saini and Shardul] are very different kinds of bowlers. While Shardul is a swing bowler, Navdeep Saini is hit the deck kind of bowler. We already have Siraj and Bumrah like that, I don’t mind looking at Shardul Thakur.”
Dasgupta signed off by saying, “Somebody who can swing the ball 3 days, there will be overcast in Sydney. There is a forecast of storms. I won’t mind having someone like a Shardul Thakur.”
(With India Today Inputs)
