India all-rounder Shardul Thakur on Wednesday (July 1) claimed that he was not "utilised properly" during the five-Test tour of England last year.

Thakur, whose last Test appearance for India came in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, conceded that he did err with the bat once on the England tour but overall, he should have played more games after the 2024-25 season.

The 34-year-old featured in only two Tests of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, bowling a total of 27 overs and picking up a couple of wickets in addition to scoring 46 runs.

Thakur recalled his 88-ball 41 in Manchester, where India were bundled out for 358 before the pitch flattened for England to rack up 669 in the first innings.

"When I played in England, I was not utilised properly in bowling. In batting, yes, it was my mistake that I played a loose shot in Leeds. But in Manchester, I batted beautifully," said Thakur while speaking at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) event.

"It was overcast, the ball was swinging, and there was (a) length where it was bouncing oddly. I survived that spell and India still put up a very, very strong total in the first innings."

"Then the pitch became flat and then we were also able to save the game. But had I not had that innings when the second new ball (had) arrived, probably the result could have been different also. So it's not that I have not made any contributions when I played for India last time," he added.

Thakur believes tactical errors and poor timing limited his bowling impact rather than just a lack of overs.

"I would say it was (not just about) being under-bowled and it was (also) about being bowled in wrong phases. There was some calculation error, that I would say," he stated.

"Usually, you don't have a word with the captain or the coach because all the focus is on the game. Whenever you are asked to do something, all you think about is, 'okay, now is my chance and I want to deliver for the team'," he replied when asked if he discussed the same with captain Shubman Gill or head coach Gautam Gambhir.

"While doing that, sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't happen," he said.

Shardul Thakur expressed disappointment over being excluded from the Test team. He reckons his strong performances should have earned him more playing opportunities.

"It's very hard to comment on that. But after 2024-25 season, the kind of season I had, I think I could have played a few more games and literally made a difference," he told reporters.

During the Leeds Test, Thakur took two quick wickets but was taken off the attack. He feels a longer spell could have led to an Indian victory.

"In Leeds, I got those two back-to-back wickets and India was back in the game. But then I was stopped again," he said.

"That's where I could have bowled a longer spell, maybe got another wicket and then the other bowlers would have come in and we could have won that game also."

"So again, ifs and buts. My comments are not going to change the result of that game. But you don't end up having these kinds of conversations usually with the captain and all. You basically take whatever has been asked (for) you to do," Thakur said.

Shardul Thakur is determined to regain his spot in the Test lineup and contribute with both bat and ball.

"I would say the bar is set at 100 per cent that I want to make a comeback," Thakur said.

"Playing for India is everyone's dream. Whenever I've played for the country, there are a handful of games where I've made impact and literally won the game for the team," he said.

(With PTI Inputs)