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‘Mentally Disturbed Me!’ – Shardul Thakur Blasts Gautam Gambhir-led Indian Management

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India all-rounder Shardul Thakur has expressed his disappointment over being left out of India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024 against Australia. He revealed that missing out on selection was mentally disturbing, especially during the first two days after the squad announcement.

Shardul, known for his ability to perform in crucial moments, has been absent from India’s Test setup since the 2023-24 South Africa tour. His last appearance came in December 2023, during the Centurion Test.

In an interview with Boria Majumdar on Revsportz, Thakur admitted that he was upset but decided not to dwell on the setback.

“Initially, it was quite disturbing when I saw my name was not there. The first two days were tough. But as professional cricketers, we understand that there are highs and lows. If I wanted to achieve more in cricket, I could not dwell on the rejection anymore. I had to stay optimistic and be ready for any opportunity,” Thakur said.

Focusing on Future Challenges

Thakur revealed that instead of making desperate efforts, he stuck to his basics. He believes that his ability to take wickets at crucial moments and deliver in knockout matches makes him stand out.

“There was no desperation to put in extra effort—I focused on my basics. When playing for Mumbai, I have consistently taken wickets at regular intervals and performed in big matches. That serves as my motivation. If I have done it before, I can do it again,” he added.

With the Australia tour behind him, Thakur has now set his sights on the IPL 2025, and the upcoming Test series against England.

“When the team was announced for the Australia tour, I shifted my focus to the Champions Trophy, IPL, and the England series. The motivation was there, and I worked hard accordingly,” he said.

Strong Ranji Trophy Performance

Thakur has been in exceptional form in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, excelling with both bat and ball.

  • Batting: Averaged 40.2, including a fighting 119-run knock against Jammu & Kashmir when Mumbai was struggling at 91/6.
  • Bowling: Averaged 19.96, with a hat-trick and eight wickets in a must-win match against Meghalaya.

India’s Struggles in Test Cricket

Team India has faced back-to-back Test series defeats, first against New Zealand at home and then against Australia away. With a crucial five-match Test series against England in June, there is growing speculation that Thakur could be recalled to bolster India’s Test squad.

His all-round abilities and experience in pressure situations could make him a valuable asset as India looks to bounce back in Test cricket.

Story First Published at www.probatsman.com on 13 February 2025

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