Given his ability to swing the ball, Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane recommended that the team management use Shardul Thakur with the new ball. Shardul only bowled a few overs in the first Test match, though, and was reintroduced into the attack once the ball had lost some of its lustre.
Rahane noted that the Dukes ball usually begins to move after 10 to 12 overs, and that Shardul may be more effective and take more wickets if he were used as a first-change bowler after Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.
“I think the role of an all-rounder is crucial. I’d want to see Shardul do more overs. It would be fantastic if the Indian team could make better use of Shardul Thakur. Based on my observations, he is a wicket-taker who can swing the ball in both directions. Rahane stated on his YouTube channel that Shardul could swing it either way if he could bowl the first change or even be handed the fresh ball.
Shardul Thakur is a seasoned athlete who has excelled in international Test cricket.
After ten or twelve overs, the duke ball usually begins to behave. It would be fantastic if Shardul could bowl first with Bumrah and Siraj could in as a substitute. Shardul bowling more overs is something I would like to see. He will get you more wickets if you give him that latitude,” Rahane continued.
Rahane applauded Bumrah’s intent and approach during the game and commended him for taking five wickets in Leeds. He praised the right-arm pacer’s energy on the pitch and saw that he remained aggressive throughout his spells.
“It was incredible when Bumrah took five wickets in the first innings. I appreciated Bumrah’s intent more than his five wickets. His jogging style during his run-up. Throughout his bowling, he was really intense. The lengths and lines he bowled. Rahane remarked, “He was aggressive throughout his bowling approach.”
Bumrah requires assistance from another source: Rahane
The right-handed batter underlined how important it is that Bumrah gets support from the opposite end. Bowlers like Siraj or Prasidh Krishna should take over and share the load, he said, adding that Bumrah shouldn’t be forced to bowl for extended periods of time.
Support from the other end is what I’d want to see. Bumrah is clearly bowling his attacking lengths, but it would be fantastic for him if Siraj and Prasidh could help him. Bumrah shouldn’t be put under strain since he might bowl too many overs and put the squad under pressure. If Prasidh participates in that second Test match, I want to see him take on that responsibility as well,” he said.
India
