Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that all-rounder Shardul Thakur should not be deemed India’s third seamer in international Test cricket conditions.
Shastri feels that India could turn at left-arm bowler Arsheep Singh, who he believes has the qualities to thrive in red-ball cricket.
India was defeated by South Africa in the Boxing Day Test at Centurion by an innings and 32 runs. They batted 245 and 131, respectively, and gave up 408 runs.
The visitors chose all-rounder Thakur as one of their seamers, while Prasidh Krishna made his Test debut in place of Mohammed Shami, who was injured. Thakur and Prasidh, on the other hand, failed to create an impression with the ball.
Shastri stated on Star Sports after India’s defeat that the current pace assault in Shami’s absence did not appear to be strong enough
Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were two seasoned bowlers. But, in this Test match, they missed Shami. Shardul has prior experience.
He’s not a baby, but he’s not the third seamer either. In abroad situations, a proper third seamer is required.
While supporting Arshdeep’s case for Test cricket, the former India all-rounder said that he has a strong first-class record and that he has to play more Ranji Trophy games.
You just must look at his first-rate track record. Is he capable of throwing extended spells? Has he participated in the Ranji Trophy? I would force him to play a lot of Ranji Trophy cricket.
First-rate cricket. “I’d keep him in the mix because if he can swing it like he did with the white ball in South Africa, he could be a useful customer here,” Ravi Shastri said.
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Arshdeep played an outstanding ODI series against South Africa
The left-arm bowler had performed admirably in the ODI series in South Africa preceding the Centurion Test.
Arshdeep was named Player of the Series after taking 10 wickets at an average of 9.50 in the three-match series.
In the first ODI in Johannesburg, he bowled 5/37 in 10 overs and 4/30 in the third match at Paarl. He has also taken 59 wickets in 42 T20Is.
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