Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has backed Shardul Thakur to play in the upcoming three Tests against South Africa, saying that with Ravindra Jadeja being ruled out of the series due to injury, the Indian team needs someone who can bat and bowl decently.
Not only will India miss the services of Jadeja, but opener Rohit Sharma will also miss the Test series after injuring his left hamstring during the nets in Mumbai. Priyank Panchal has replaced Sharma in the Test squad, which has reached South Africa for the series starting December 26.
Apart from these two, the Indian team is also missing Akshar Patel, who would have been an apt replacement for Jadeja. Also ruled out of the tour was opener Shubman Gill, whose shin injury resurfaced.
Sanjay Bangar feels Shardul Thakur "definitely" has a place in the Playing XI. The 30-year-old bowling all-rounder is a part of the pace unit in India's 18-member squad for the Test series, after being rested for the New Zealand series at home.
"There is definitely a place for Shardul Thakur because in all the major victories in the last season that have come for India, he has contributed and in overseas conditions, you require a batsman who can bowl a bit. He fits in that category because he can contribute with the bat and with the ball, he can contribute with a couple of wickets, as he displayed in the England series as well," said Bangar on Star Sports.
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Shardul Thakur recently scored twin half-centuries against England in the Oval Test win and in all has 190 runs in 4 Tests to go with his 14 wickets.
Bangar also feels that given that Kohli loves to play four pacers and one spinner overseas, Shardul Thakur can fit into the playing XI well.
"I would think the reasoning behind and the way the captain wants to have a say because ultimately it's the captain's team. Yes, Rahul Dravid can throw up some contrasting views because that is what a coach's job is, probably put up his case and then see what the captain thinks.
But prior to the Oval Test match, you already saw what Virat Kohli's thought process suggests, and from a distance, it seems that he is resigned to the fact that he wants to play with four seamers and one spinner in overseas conditions," Bangar further said.
India will play the first Test in Centurion from December 26, the second Test in Johannesburg from January 3rd, and the last Test in Cape Town from January 11 onwards. The two sides will then play a series of three ODIs as well.
