NEWS
Follow UsShardul Thakur finished the three-match series against West Indies as the leading wicket-taker with eight scalps at 11.62. With a comprehensive 200-run in the third ODI, India also went on to clinch the series 2-1. Thakur is among a couple of positives for India from the series as they look to build a formidable unit for the upcoming Asia Cup and the World Cup at home after that.
Thakur has been in and out of the team on many occasions, but for him, the focus remains to contribute and have an impact for the team and not look to seal a spot in the team with two big events to come this year.
“I am not the sort of player who plays for his spot in the team. If I play with that mindset, I cannot perform. Even if I don't get picked for the World Cup, it's their [Team management] call, and I cannot do much about it,” Thakur said after the third ODI.
“It's wrong for me to think of playing for my spot. I always perform based on the team's requirements and match situations regardless of whether I succeed. I always play to help the team to victory.”
However, the bowling all-rounder did not deny that every game ahead of the World Cup is an opportunity for him and the other players to show what they bring to the table.
“With the World Cup coming up, every game you play will be important from the team's perspective. Whether it's the batting department, the bowling department and, for that matter, the fielding also. You are going to judge yourself. You are going to score some marks for yourself.,” Thakur said.
“Also, the team management will be looking at you as players. There will be a few players looking at selection as well. For us individually also, all the games we play before the World Cup are important. If you consider the learning out of the series, I think it's about developing your game - how your team needs you to perform in a particular situation.
“Even in the previous game when we lost some wickets, when we went in, what's our mindset, is it going to help us in the World Cup also? You challenge yourself mentally in these kinds of series and judge how you have fared after that.”
Thakur does not see anything wrong with being in and out of the side as the team selection as India’s bench strength is quite good, and selection is usually based on the conditions. Thakur, who also has scored 315 runs in ODIs at a healthy strike-rate, feels his batting becomes crucial when picked.
“The Indian team's bench strength is good. Some tracks favour the spinners more, and hence more spinners would play. Where the pitch suits the pacers, and spinners do not have help, my role also will come in handy,” Thakur said.
“We have played with a deep batting line-up over the last couple of years. As an all-rounder who bats lower-order, my job in the team also becomes important because we have seen in the longer chase or if you want to put up a high score, you are going to lose one odd wicket here and there.
“If the No. 8 or 9 can contribute with the No. 6 or 7 batter, that role is crucial. Whenever I get an opportunity, I try to contribute to the team's success. That's my thought process. End of the day, I should be happy that I have put in the effort, and my performances should be impactful, whichever department it is.”
In a bid to try out new players and combinations, someone as experienced as Yuzvendra Chahal did not get a single game. Thakur believes Chahal continues to be a match-winner for India, and not playing one series would not impact him.
"We have a strong bench strength. Therefore, there will be a lot of times when someone won't get to play a lot of matches or series. Yuzvendra Chahal is a very good player, he has performed for many years and proved himself. Now, whether to play him or not is the management's decision,” Thakur, who has picked up 58 wickets from 38 ODIs, said.
“The kind of player he is, whenever we play him, he will surely perform. We've seen that whenever he plays, he picks up a lot of wickets, whether it is one-day or T20. He always contributes to the team's success. So I don't think not playing one series would demoralize him. He has won several games in the past," Thakur said.
With the ODI series done and dusted, the action shifts to the T20 Internationals (T20I), starting with the first game on Thursday (August 3) at the Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad.
