“I Would Laud Virat Kohli And Ravi Shastri For Their Decision To Play Shardul Thakur”: Madan Lal

Team India made a surprising change in the first Test match against England at Trent Bridge. Virat Kohli led side included Shardul Thakur in the playing XI and removed Ashwin. Meanwhile, this movie was praised by former India all-rounder Madan Lal. Madan Lal believes India did a great tactical move by adding an outswinger bowler like Shardul Thakur in the playing XI.

Notably, Shardul Thakur picked 2 wickets for 41 runs in 13 overs in the first innings against England. Also, India was able to bowl out England at the score of just 183 in 65.4 overs. Meanwhile, Shardul was able to get the big wicket of English captain Joe Root who scored 64 crucial runs for England. The second wicket he picked was of the new recruit in England bowling unit Ollie Robinson. While talking about the match to Aaj Tak, Madan Lal lauded India’s bowling unit. He elaborated.

“They took some time to adjust to the conditions in the opening session, as it was the first day of the series. In the second and third sessions, though, they were on top of their game. The kind of batting England have at the moment, it will be difficult for them to stand up against India. Our bowlers have the ability to bowl England out cheaply, as they showed today (Wednesday).”

“I would laud Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri for their decision to play Shardul Thakur in the Test. He is a genuine outswing bowler, who constantly moves the ball away from the batsman and troubles them. In English conditions, he is bound to get wickets. According to me, this is a masterstroke. We all saw how Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur bowled in Australia. They were really impressive there as well.”

Virat Kohli led side completely outperformed England on the first day of the opening match of the 5-match series. Joe Root carried forward the innings of England however with Shardul Thakur’s brilliance he was dismissed on 64.

“To get him (Root) out in the 60s or 90s or early, is always a good wicket to have”: Shardul Thakur

While talking about Joe Root’s wicket Shardul Thakur said it’s always a good wicket to have. Also, he expressed that he is enjoying bowling with dukes ball in overseas conditions. Shardul stated:

“To get him (Root) out in the 60s or 90s or early, is always a good wicket to have. If we look at the pitch, it didn’t feel like it will turn a lot as the game goes on, so we thought it was better to go in with four seamers. I’m enjoying the Dukes ball and English conditions. It’s swinging nicely for us, I hope it continues.”

While speaking about the wicket of Jonny Bairstow, the Chennai Super Kings bowler said :

“At one point, we didn’t think we’d get them all out, but the weather was playing funny. The sun was out for a while, and it was cloudy for a while; I was really happy we got ten Wickets. Bairstow was going well; he was poised to score a fifty, so getting him out in that period was crucial. As soon as we got him, (the other) wickets started tumbling”.