Shardul Smashes Indian Frontline Bowlers, Takes 4 Wickets : Creates Selection Dilemma
Beckenham : Ahead of India’s first Test match against England, set to begin on Friday, June 20, Shardul Thakur emerged as the standout performer in the practice match between India A and the senior Indian Test team. Representing India A, Shardul delivered a stunning all-round performance, troubling top-order batters with the ball and then blasting an unbeaten century against the Test team’s strongest pace attack.
The 33-year-old Palghar-born all-rounder turned heads by scoring 122 not out off just 68 balls, batting at No. 3 against India’s premier pacers — Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh. None of them could dismiss him, as he counter-attacked fearlessly.
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Day 2 of the Intra-squad Game in Beckenham
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Earlier in the match, with the ball in hand, Shardul claimed four wickets, dismantling key top-order batters like KL Rahul, Shubman Gill (captain), and Karun Nair, although both Gill and Rahul managed to register half-centuries.
Match Highlights:
Match Duration: Four-day match, wrapped up early
Sarfaraz Khan also scored a century (101 off 76 balls, 15 fours, 2 sixes, retired out) for India A before Shardul’s knock
Shardul’s dual performance now leaves selectors in a fix: Should Nitish Kumar Reddy retain his place or make way for the in-form Shardul?
Background:
Shardul has played 11 Tests and 72 limited-overs internationals for India but hasn’t featured in Tests for over 18 months. He was overlooked for the Australia tour earlier this year, with Nitish Kumar Reddy preferred instead. Reddy impressed with a century in Melbourne but didn’t bowl with much impact, and India went on to lose the series 1-3. Now, with Shardul’s compelling form, the team management faces a tough selection decision ahead of the England Test series.
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