ICC World Cup 2023: "I Have Started Preparing Already" - Shardul Thakur On Making Into WC Squad

Indian pacer Shardul Thakur talked about his chances of making it into the squad for the ICC World Cup 2023. He said that everyone wants to lift the trophy and he already has started preparing for the tournament.

Shardul Thakur is one of the match-winners for India and it’s fair to say that he will be one of the pacers in contention to make it into the World Cup squad. The bowling all-rounder has been the vital cog for the team in all three formats of the game.

Shardul Thakur proved his prowess in the recently concluded ODI series against West Indies as he ended as the leading wicket-taker with 8 wickets to his name from three games. His uncanny nag to pick up wickets when nothing is happening sets him apart from the other pacers.

Not only his bowling but Shardul Thakur has been contributing with the bat in the lower order as well. He has scored crucial runs, which have proved to be the difference, and has helped the team win the matches as well.

Shardul Thakur said that he’s happy with his performances and is delighted with the way he bowled in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj in the West Indies ODIs.

Shardul Thakur also spoke how about India have had their ups and downs and want to win the ICC tournament. Speaking to Hindustan Times, he explained:

“I am happy with my performance. I am feeling good about how I am bowling in ODI cricket. The format is constantly evolving, so you have to keep adding things to your game. I am happy that I was able to deliver in the West Indies ODI series with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj not around.

As a team, we have had some ups and down in the recent past. The WTC final loss wasn’t easy to take. It keeps playing on our mind because we know our next chance will take another two years. Winning an ICC tournament is very important for us. It’s an opportunity lost. You keep that in your subconscious. Maybe, next time.”

ICC World Cup 2023: If I make it to the team, I will be the happiest person – Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur was also asked if he is confident of making the World Cup squad with the stiff competition for places, replying to which, he said that if gets selected he will be the happiest person. He added:

“I am a confident guy. If I make it to the team, I will be the happiest person. Everyone wants to lift the World Cup. Right now, we have some time off to train hard. I have started preparing already.”

“Everybody is on their individual preparations. We have been given a fitness schedule and will have a camp in NCA before the Asia Cup. If you look at the overall preparations, it’s been going on for months. All the ODI series we have played, whether it was against Bangladesh, New Zealand, Australia, West Indies, people have had it in the back of their mind that ‘it’s a World Cup year’.”

If Shradul Thakur will make it into the World Cup, it’s fair to say that he will be a vital cog for India. He has been the leading wicket-taker for the team in ODIs since the 2019 World Cup. Overall in 38 ODIs, he has bagged 58 wickets.