1st Test, ENG vs IND: Did Virat Kohli hint playing this cricketer for the first test against England?

Xtra Time Web Desk: Indian captain Virat Kohli on Tuesday lauded Shardul Thakur as a multi dimensional player much like Hardik Pandya. Ahead of the first Test in Nottingham, Virat Kohli was asked about Shardul’s ability to fill in as an all-rounder in the absence of Hardik Pandya and whether the Mumbai cricketer can be groomed like Hardik.

The Indian captain in his reply said, “Yes, he definitely can be created. He is already a multi-dimensional cricketer. And it’s all about him getting more and more confidence with performances like Brisbane and someone like him obviously brings a lot more balance to a test team or any other format of the game,” Kohli said on the eve of the first Test.”

Kohli also added that not only is Thakur vital for the upcoming series, but he will also be in the picture for future assignments as well.

“Hardik has done so well for us in the past, and right now he is getting back on track to bowling regularly. But, yeah these kinds of cricketers obviously help the team in a massive massive way and Shardul is a huge prospect for us and someone who is going to be very important not just in the series but moving forward as well.”

It is yet to be known whether Shardul Thakur will be in the playing XI or not. Or perhaps Kohli might have hinted about drafting Shardul in the playing XI for the first test at Trent Bridge.