IND vs PAK: 'Shardul Thakur Is Bits And Pieces' - Gautam Gambhir Calls For Pacer's Non-Selection In India XI

Former India National Cricket Team opener Gautam Gambhir, who played a key role in India’s T20 World Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup victories in 2007 and 2011, has labeled the pace-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur as a ‘bits and pieces’ player and has called for his non-selection in the Indian playing XI in the Asia Cup 2023 and the World Cup 2023.

The 31-year-old Shardul Narendra Thakur has been one of India’s top performers in the bowling department in ODIs since the last ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019. Thakur is also a handy batter and he has shown his batting prowess in international cricket.

However, Gambhir has opined that giving the nod to Thakur ahead of anyone among Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah would be a wrong decision. During a discussion on Star Sports, Gambhir said:

“I will go with three seamers and I will go with three seamers in the World Cup as well, not only here. If you are thinking about playing Shardul Thakur at No. 8 and compromising a fast bowler, I believe it will be the biggest mistake.

“Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah can win you games on their own in 10 overs. Shardul Thakur is somewhere or the other bits and pieces. He can be the third seamer alongside Hardik Pandya and give a little bit of batting.”

We always think about strengthening our batting but… – Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir further said that having a strong bowling attack is extremely crucial. He opined that only a team with a strong bowling unit is capable of winning the marquee tournaments like the World Cup. He elaborated:

“One thing is extremely clear – do you want to chase 250 or 325? If your bowling is sorted and you have might in your bowling, you will chase 250 or 260. If you compromise on a bowler, you will chase 300 or 325.

“We always think about strengthening our batting but the team which has a strong bowling attack will only win the World Cup. If your bowling is strong, it will remove the pressure on your batting.”

Rohit Sharma-led India will open their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday, September 2, in the 3rd match of the tournament at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.