Now 33, Shardul Thakur last played a Test match for India at Centurion in December 2023, Feted as Lord after his heroics on the England tour in 2021, he slipped out of the selectors’ thoughts soon after India returned from South Africa. Not picked for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia last year, he reminded those that matter of his value with some sterling displays for Mumbai in domestic cricket. Those efforts were rewarded with a call-up for the upcoming England tour. In this exclusive interview with Boria Majumdar, RevSportz editor-in-chief, Shardul spoke of bouncing back from setbacks and how India will navigate the tour without the experience of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Boria: Shardul, you are back to where you belong, the Indian team. What were your first thoughts on the news of your comeback?
Shardul Thakur: Thank you for inviting me to the show again, and giving me a platform to share my thoughts. I believe my performance in domestic cricket is the reason behind the selectors considering me. My family is very happy, and so am I for this opportunity to be able to travel with Team India after a year’s time. I would say I am very fortunate to be selected back into India A and the Indian Team. I am not thinking about whether I will get to play the first Test at Leeds, rather I am just enjoying this feeling of being selected back. This feeling is like a dream that is mixed with nervousness and excitement, much like it was the very first time when I got selected for India.
Boria: Despite having great stats overseas, you didn’t get selected for the Australia tour (Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25). Thoughts on that and also how confident are you about making a difference this time on the upcoming tour of England?
Shardul: I want to leave the episode of not getting selected for the Australia tour behind and move on. That’s what I have learned from playing domestic cricket for Mumbai. I never missed a game, performed well, contributed towards Mumbai’s win, so all this together has only increased my passion and emotion for the game over time. Now with the England tour coming up, the goal is to give my 100 per cent – result, performances come after that because it’s an open stage and everything happens for a reason, I believe. Even when a failure happens, I believe the reason is that you didn’t belong to that stage at that given time ,even if you have worked hard for it and showed trust in your abilities. We have been blessed with skills and we just need to work on those skills, keep adding to our game and leave the rest up to the almighty. He will do justice.
Boria: How difficult was the journey from Australia to now, after being ignored for that tour? How do you keep your effort up even after facing setbacks like that?
Shardul: So, as I already said, we cricketers have been blessed with this skill to play cricket and our primary job is to do that irrespective of whether it is domestic or international stage. If you are lucky enough to represent the national side and play bilateral series, ICC tournaments, then the primary job would be to play the game passionately. Whenever I step into the ground, my thinking is to make this opportunity count. Yes, bowling is my number-one skill, then comes batting, but I feel fielding is above all of this. Even if I fail in batting or bowling, I feel like I will contribute In the fielding, with a brilliant catch or a run-out. Yes, the Australian tour was a setback for me, but personally, once in the field, I play with no second thoughts of whether I will be selected somewhere or not. I believe as a professional cricketer, we are supposed to move past setbacks and that’s how we respect our skills. Somewhere, I knew If I can give winning performances while playing domestic, I might be under the consideration of the selectors again. Playing for India should always be taken as a do-or-die situation, because this is a big stage where the next chance might not come.
Boria: You are very close to Rohit [Sharma] and Virat [Kohli]. Would you miss them in the dressing room?
Shardul: Yes, definitely, as they will not play Test cricket anymore. They are the most senior and experienced ones in the game at present, but then again, it’s a personal call when they realise they will not be able to contribute and drive the format the same way as before. There is a great deal of protection when senior players are around, and having a good mix of senior and junior players in the team provides flourishing results. But then again, a young and talented team like the current one has a different sort of enthusiasm, and it’s going to be a challenging yet enriching tour for everyone. With the absence of driving forces like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, I guess the most experienced player now is Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja). So overall, it is going to be an interesting tour for everyone, with different responsibilities on the shoulders, including new captaincy.
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Boria: You have played with Shubman Gill in Australia 2021 and with Rishabh Pant as captain of Lucknow Super Giants. Tell us a bit about Shubman (Gill) and Rishabh (Pant).
Shardul: They both are big players and the future of India for sure. They are very different in character – where Shubman is very serious and calm, composed kind of person when it comes to the game, and Rishabh is a funny and lively guy. But this again is their USP in their own way. They have contributed towards the game on the biggest stages and crucial ones, and that makes them very promising players for the future of India.
Boria: With the absence of lead bowlers like Mohammed Shami and the unavailability of Jasprit Bumrah in some of the Test matches, how does it feel to you? Does it increase the responsibility on you and Mohammed Siraj in the bowling lineup or do you see it as an opportunity?
Shardul: In team set-up, it’s everyone’s chance to do something for the team and also for acting collectively as a team, but it gives a much better result when the team performs as an unit. We have seen this in our domestic side as well and have made it a point for everyone to at least go out there and perform to one’s fullest capacity and never give up. Else, winning matches is impossible.
Boria: You have already played in England. Do you think think that’s an advantage? What are the challenges of playing in English weather in early summers, according to you?
Shardul: I think the weather is the biggest challenge in England and it fluctuates to the point where three different types of weather can be seen during a single day’s game. Sometimes, when the sun is out, it can be a batting-friendly situation and challenging for the bowlers, and vice versa when it is the opposite. Game keeps changing a lot in England due to the weather, and it’s up to the player how he copes with the weather-related pressure.
Boria: As an expert bowler, can you explain to me a bit about the Dukes ball and the Kookaburra ball, challenges related to them and how they are supposed to be delivered?
Shardul: As much as I know, these two balls are made in a very different ways and I am sure one can find videos on YouTube related to the making. As far as delivery and nature is concerned, the Kookaburra ball swings at first and then stops, so one must rely on the bounce and the seam movement. While for the Dukes ball, if we maintain the shine, it allows lateral movement from the surface and in the air, but it might not swing a lot in the first 10 overs.
Boria: Anyone you want to thank or talk about who has been there in this challenging period of yours.
Shardul: Fan are the ones who make us big and support us no matter what. There were a few friends that kept supporting me, but mainly it’s my family and extended family that has supported me throughout. And now I know who the real well-wishers are.
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