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The fourth day of the ongoing first Test at Headingley, Leeds was nothing less than an entertainer. After India bundled out England at 465, taking a six-run lead, they ended day three of the Headingley Test with a 96-run lead. Thereafter, centuries from KL Rahul (137 off 247) and Rishabh Pant (118 off 140), helped India put up a lead of 371 runs.
Once again, like the first India innings, the bottom six in the lineup fell after just adding 31 runs. Thereafter, England took the crease and ended the fourth day, having put 21/0 in six over and now require 350 runs to get the first Test to their name. As Team India aims to restrict the home side, former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik took a moment and questioned the inclusion of Shardul Thakur.
If they are not going to trust his bowling, why are they playing him?: Dinesh Karthik on Thakur
It is to be noted that Thakur was picked in the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy as a seam bowling all-rounder. The veteran Indian got a nod ahead of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who featured in all five Test during the BGT 2024-25. Seeing skipper Shubman Gill not utilise Thakur to the full potential, Karthik was left questioning his inclusion.
Speaking with Cricbuzz, the former wicketkeeper-batter said, "The Shardul Thakur decision that Team India's management needs to look at - If they are not going to trust his bowling, why are they playing him? That is definitely an issue. If you are not going to trust a bowler, why have you played him? I understand when you play four fast bowlers, you are not going to give equal opportunity for Shardul."
Notably, the Mumbai all-rounder bowled only six overs and conceded 38 runs without picking a wicket. Seeing this, Karthik further added, "When he did bowl, he did not bowl very nicely, but to give six overs when you have bowled so much is not a great picture. I feel bad for Shardul but I can understand what a Shubman is thinking. He is able to create more pressure on England when the other bowlers are bowling."
They have selected him, but haven't shown faith in him: Aakash Chopra on Shardul Thakur's utilisation
While it wasn’t Dinesh Karthik only, several former cricketers questioned Shardul Thakur’s inclusion. Aakash Chopra too echoed Karthik’s views. "I am thinking about Shardul Thakur's utilisation. They have selected him, but haven't shown faith in him. Of course, he bowled a few overs and was very expensive, but then you didn't bowl him at all for long spells. All bowlers bowled 20-plus overs, but Shardul Thakur was in single digits," Chopra said in a video posted on his official YouTube channel.
However, it has to be seen if the Indian team management decided to give more chances to Shardul in the second England innings as they eye to restrict the Ben Stokes-led side and get an early win in the series.
