Sabyasachi Bagchi, Kolkata: With the recently conclusion of the India A tri series win in South Africa and the ODI squad being put up for the Sri Lanka series we find Manish Pandey and Shardul Thakur getting a chance in the limited overs format. Both the players played brilliantly in South Africa and were an important asset which made India the winners of the tournament.
“This is a comeback for me. Despite scoring a ton against Australia I didn’t get a chance in the World Cup squad. After that I got a chance in the Champions Trophy but unfortunately I got injured and had to miss the entire tournament. I made the tri series as the key to get myself selected in the national squad and that has helped. I given a chance I would give my 100%,” said Manish while talking to www.xtratime.in correspondent Sabyasachi Bagchi.
“Tri-series was an important test for all of us. Despite losing the first match we played well and became the champions. The advice of Rahul Dravid helped us a lot. He has been a role model for me since my childhood. He was my first captain when I started playing domestic cricket for Karnataka. Despite we have different batting styles he has been an inspiration for me always.”
Manish scored 307 in the 4 games and also had an average of 307 as he was dismissed only once in the four games. Manish who plays in the middle order has been brilliant in the series. However today MSK Prasad claimed that they are thinking of playing KL Rahul in the middle order to which Manish said, “There is heaven and hell difference in India team and India A team. To prove my worth I will have to perform well and hopefully I will do so”
An integral portion of the India A squad for the recently concluded tri-series held at South Africa where India became the champions was Shardul Thakur. The pacer took 9 wickets in 4 games including a three wicket haul in the finals thereby putting up a splendid performance for his side.
Shardul who has been called up for the ODI and T20 games in Sri Lanka said, “it is a lifetime opportunity for me. I want prove my worth in the International stage and sustain there.”
I have improved my bowling a lot after bowling in South Africa as the pitches there favour my style of bowling. Along with the pace I could bowl the off-cutters well. Apart from that Rahul (Rahul Dravid) sir has helped me a lot. He guided me thoroughly. As I idolize Alan Donnald, he made me watch the bowling of Donald in South African soil. I learnt a lot from it and tried to instill those lessons in my bowling”
“Alongside Dravid I would like to thanks MS Dhoni for guiding me. In the 2016 edition of the IPL I was in Kings XI Punjab but unfortunately I didn’t get enough playing chance and became frustrated. However the next year I went to Rising Pune Supergiant, where under the guidance of Dhoni my game improved. He gave me plenty advises about how to bowl efficiently in the death overs. Now I will again get another opportunity to meet him, share the dressing room with him” said Thakur.