ENG vs IND: Shardul Thakur Must Be Picked As The 4th Seamer For The Fifth Test - Ajit Agarkar

Ajit Agarkar, a former cricketer for India, recommended that India select Shardul Thakur over Umesh Yadav for the fourth Test match against England that will now begin on Friday.

Before the last Test was cancelled due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the visiting team’s camp, India had a 2-1 series advantage.

The pace-attack, which picked England’s 20 wickets in all three games to put them on the back foot, was crucial to the visitors’ attacking style of cricket last year. Except for Joe Root, none of the English batsmen attempted to counterattack the Indian pacers at home last year.

Mohammad Siraj Deserves A Place As The Third Seamer: Ajit Agarkar

“I think Siraj had a really good series last time when India played those four Tests and he is one of the most improved bowlers around at the moment. I don’t see any reason why Siraj would miss out,” Agarkar responded to a question by News18 in an interaction organised by Sony Sports.

Senior players Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will undoubtedly be in the India XI for the postponed match, but if the team management decides to use a four-pace attack like they did last year, it will be difficult to choose the other two. Siraj did well last year but since then he has been struggling albeit in a different format.

“Shardul Thakur offers a bit more with the bat at number 8 and if there is help for the seamers then he becomes even more effective if there is some swing on offer. I think that’s the way India will go otherwise the tail becomes a little bit too long if you look at someone like Umesh Yadav or even Prasidh Krishna who has been included in the squad for the one-off Test. Shardul probably would make if India go with four seamers,” he added.

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