NEW DELHI: After being sidelined for the previous two Tests, Shardul Thakur returned to India’s playing XI for the fourth Test against England in Manchester, replacing the injured Nitish Kumar Reddy. While he made a valuable contribution with the bat, scoring a gritty 41, his role with the ball remained minimal — a move that didn’t go unnoticed.
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Despite India bowling 46 overs on Day 2, Shardul was handed just five overs, the fewest among all Indian pacers. His spell proved expensive, conceding 35 runs at an economy of 7, and failed to yield any wickets as England’s Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley launched an aggressive counterattack.
Other Indian pacers, Mohammed Siraj and Anshul Kamboj, also struggled to contain the run flow, but it was Shardul’s underutilization that raised questions.
When asked about his limited role with the ball during the post-day press conference, the fast-bowling all-rounder offered a blunt yet composed response.
“Bowling decisions are entirely up to the captain. It’s not in my hands,” Shardul said, subtly deflecting responsibility to skipper Shubman Gill. “He decides who bowls and when.”
Shardul’s statement hints at some possible tension or at least a difference in tactical approach, especially as he continues to prove his worth with the bat but struggles to find trust with the ball under Gill’s captaincy.
As the match progresses, all eyes will be on whether Shardul gets another opportunity to contribute with the ball — or if his role continues to be limited under the current leadership.
