Salman Butt
Salman Butt (Image Credit: Twitter)

Former Pakistan player Salman Butt said that Shardul Thakur’s selection in India’s main squad was due to the all-rounder’s performance in the Test series against England.

Shardul was initially named as one of the three reserved players in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

On October 13, Shardul was drafted in India’s main squad as he replaced left-arm spinner Axar Patel, BCCI confirmed in a press release posted on its official website.

Shardul Thakur, Indian Bowler
Shardul Thakur (Image Credit: Twitter)

Batting gives Shardul Thakur the edge for selection: Salman Butt

The Mumbai all-rounder’s inclusion will strengthen India’s pace bowling options as Hardik Pandya, who didn’t bowl a single over in IPL 2021, looks uncertain to bowl in the mega event.

Butt said that Shardul’s batting gives him an edge in the Indian team.

“It had to happen. Shardul Thakur had to be picked for the T20 World Cup. He has been claiming wickets consistently and has been contributing with the bat as well. In England, too, he performed really well. He has the momentum of performances.

“In the IPL, Thakur and Harshal Patel picked up wickets in almost every game. But batting gives Thakur the edge when it comes to selection,” Butt said on his YouTube channel.

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“India had picked too many spinners in the squad, as many as five. If three spinners can’t do the job, the fourth and fifth too will not be able to do anything. This is equivalent to playing eight batters. This move to bring in Thakur makes a lot of sense, especially considering the fact that there is no surety about Pandya’s bowling,” he added.

Shardul Thakur’s batting in England was impressive: Salman Butt

Shardul had an incredible Test series against England, which is yet to be concluded.

Although the 29-year-old player started the tour with a nought in Nottingham and then suffered a hamstring injury which kept him out of the second and third Test.

He played a vital role for India in the fourth Test at Oval as he scored twin fifties and got the important wicket of England skipper Joe Root in the second innings.

Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur. (Credit: Twitter)

Butt said that the main reason for Shardul’s selection in the T20 World Cup is because of his performance against England.

“Test cricket, that too in England, is a lot tougher. The way he batted in England was really impressive. He can score at a good strike rate and is claiming at least two wickets with the ball in almost every game. The services of such an in-form player had to be utilized. His No. 1 reason for selection is his ongoing performance, then there are other add-ons,” Butt mentioned.

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Shardul Thakur will be playing the IPL 2021 final for Chennai Super Kings against Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2021: Shardul Thakur Added In Squad Because Selectors Wanted A Backup For Hardik Pandya – Saba Karim