Mumbai’s Shardul Thakur makes a successful appeal for the wicket of Jammu and Kashmir’s Abdul Samad during the first day of a Ranji trophy test cricket match between Mumbai and Jammu and Kashmir, at Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC, in Mumbai, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (PTI Photo)
Shardul Thakur on Friday said that a player should be considered for selection if he has “quality” after producing fantastic batting performance to save Mumbai some blushes in the Ranji Trophy
“What can I talk about my quality? Others should talk about it. They should see that if someone has quality, he should be given more chances. I like batting in difficult situations. In easy situations, everyone does well, but how you put up the show in adverse situations matters. I see tough situations as a challenge and always think about how to overcome that challenge,” Thakur said to reporters.
Even though Shardul has been out of the national set-up for a while, the Mumbai all-rounder has impressed in the domestic circuit. Like on Thursday, he was the lone shining spot in Mumbai’s abysmal batting performance against Jammu & Kashmir, scoring 51 off 57 balls.
The 33-year-old struck five fours and two sixes to drag Mumbai, who were struggling at 47/7 at one point, to 120 all out.
Thakur’s exploits here at the BKC Ground served a reminder of his maiden First-Class ton in the Ranji Trophy semifinal last season, when he smacked a 105-ball 109 with 13 fours and four sixes coming in at No. 9. His century took Mumbai from 106 for seven to 378 against Tamil Nadu to set up a win by an innings and 70 runs en route to their 43rd title.
Shardul also defended India captain Rohit Sharma who flopped on his Ranji Trophy comeback, saying his passion for Mumbai cricket remains intact.
“He is always passionate about Mumbai cricket. Any Mumbaikar, the way we have seen hardships growing up as teenagers playing maidan cricket, everyone is so passionate about Mumbai cricket that even if they’re playing for India, they follow what (the) Mumbai team is doing,” he said.
“When they come back here, they play as if they are part of this team and they play all (their) heart out.” “To be fair to Rohit, I felt he was just batting in his own zone (and) unlike you said, he wasn’t trying a lot. (He was) just keeping things simple, but yes, (against) new ball, (you get) one chance, (and) it can go anywhere,” he added.
(With agency inputs)
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