SA vs IND: "There is definitely a place for Shardul Thakur" - Sanjay Bangar
The former coach of the Indian cricket team Sanjay Bangar believes that the right-handed bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur will get a chance in the first Test against South Africa. Team India have already lost Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja before leaving for South Africa due to injuries.
Moreover, there is no Axar Patel and Shubman Gill as they have also got injuries after the New Zealand series. Notably, the premium all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja sustained an injury on his right forearm and was ruled out of the second Test against New Zealand.
Following that, the skipper of the limited-overs of the Indian cricket team, Rohit Sharma got injured during the practise session ahead of the South Africa series. Considering the back to back injuries in the Indian team, Sanjay Bangar feels that Shardul Thakur would get a place as he can contribute with both the bat and the ball.
You require a batsman who can bowl a bit: Sanjay Bangar
During an exclusive interaction with Star Sports, Sanjay Bangar said, "There is definitely a place for Shardul Thakur because, in all the major victories in the last season that have come for India, he has contributed and in overseas conditions, you require a batsman who can bowl a bit."
"He fits in that category because he can contribute with the bat and with the ball, he can contribute with a couple of wickets, as he displayed in the England series as well," he stated.
Moreover, he also highlighted that the Indian skipper Virat Kohli will go with four seamers with one spinner as he usually uses in overcast conditions. "I would think the reasoning behind and the way the captain wants to have a say because ultimately it’s the captain’s team.
Yes, Rahul Dravid can throw up some contrasting views because that is what a coach’s job is, probably put up his case and then see what the captain thinks."
"But prior to the Oval Test match, you already saw what Virat Kohli’s thought process suggests and from a distance, it seems that he is resigned to the fact that he wants to play with four seamers and one spinner in overseas conditions," Bangar added.