Scott Styris, the former New Zealand cricketer, thinks that Shardul Thakur isn’t as good as Hardik Pandya and is fighting for a backup spot in the Indian One Day International (ODI) team.
Thakur, meanwhile, is a part of the Indian ODI side on the Caribbean tour. This 19-member squad features five pacers overall. Styris believes that Thakur’s batting is a positive for him.
The 47-year-old, on being asked if Thakur should play all three ODIs versus West Indies, stated: “That’s the one thing he has to his advantage is that he bats. The downside is the emergence of Hardik Pandya as a genuine all-rounder. Do you need two of those style of players because Shardul Thakur isn’t as good as Hardik Pandya, I don’t believe as an all-rounder.”
Styris was speaking on SPORTS 18’s show ‘Sports Over the Top’. The former Kiwi cricketer had been a pace bowling all-rounder with 4483 runs and 137 wickets in 188 ODI matches, in his account.
The cricketer turned analyst, furthermore, suggested that Thakur is probably combatting for a backup spot in the regular Indian ODI playing XI. He asserted: “So maybe he is fighting for a backup spot rather than one of the players to play as a frontline. We have seen him play many match-winning innings for India, usually in the longer versions of the game but he does have that ability to hit boundaries, closing out innings or putting the final touches, the cherry on the top if you like.”
Thakur, in his ODI career so far, has picked 25 wickets and has scored 205 runs at an average of 34.16. This tally includes a crucial half-century against South Africa.
Shami is in the queue in front of Siraj – Styris
Styris moreover was asked regarding Mohammed Siraj’s place on the Indian ODI side. He said that Siraj was a contestant for a spot, against Mohammad Shami. But, in recent times, Shami has led the way ahead of Siraj.
Styris went on to say that, Siraj too, is looking for a backup spot in the Indian ODI side. Styris admitted that he had a lot of expectations from Siraj, who, according to Styris, had a disappointing Indian Premier League (IPL) season this year (2022). And this is the reason that Shami stands ahead of Siraj for a place, added Styris.
Written By Prachi Pisal
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