Because of his ability to swing the ball, Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane suggested that Shardul Thakur be used with the new ball by the Indian team management. However, Shardul did bowl a significant number of overs in both innings of the first Test, taking the ball when it started to lose some of its luster.

England cantered home with five wickets remaining, chasing 371 runs, as Shardul Thakur bowled just six overs in the first innings in Leeds and then bowled ten overs to take two wickets for 51 runs in the second innings.

While it has been suggested that Shardul Thakur should be replaced by Nitish Kumar Reddy or Kuldeep Yadav in the India XI for the second Test in Birmingham, Ajinkya Rahane wants India to open the bowling with Shardul Thakur, who can swing the ball both ways.

“I feel an all-rounder’s role is very important. Shardul Thakur has been an experienced player and has done well in Test cricket overseas. I want to see more overs from Shardul. If the Indian team can use Shardul Thakur in a better way, that will be great. Whatever I have seen with him, he can swing the ball both ways and is a wicket-taker. If Shardul can bowl the first change or even given the new ball he can swing it both ways,” Rahane said on his YouTube channel.

“With the duke ball, it generally starts to behave after 10 or 12 overs. If Shardul can start the bowling with Bumrah and Siraj can come in as one change, that will be great. I would like to see Shardul bowling more overs. Give him that freedom, he will get you more wickets,” Rahane reasoned.

Rahane also praised Jasprit Bumrah for his 5-wicket haul in England’s first innings.

“Bumrah’s five wicket-haul in the first innings was amazing. Apart from his five wickets what I liked about Bumrah was his intent. The way he was running in his run-up. His intensity throughout his bowling was amazing. The lines and lengths that he bowled. He was aggressive throughout in his bowling approach,” Rahane explained.

“What I would like to see is support from the other end. Bumrah is obviously bowling his attacking lengths but if he can support from Siraj and Prasidh, that will be great for him. You don’t want Bumrah under pressure and start bowling too many overs and the pressure comes on the team. I want to see Siraj taking that responsibility and also Prasidh if he plays that second Test match,” he added.

The second Test match begins at Edgbaston from July 2.