Internet Desk: It has been a remarkable journey for 24 year old Shardul Thakur. The rookie fast bowler from Mumbai got a surprise test call up for the forthcoming India’s tour to West Indies. Shardul was rewarded for his consistent performance in the domestic circuit where he took 41 wickets in 11 matches for Mumbai at an average of 24.51.
A lot of credit should go to Shardul’s coach Dinesh Lad for shaping his career. Shardul, who had no school cricket exposure till Class VIII used to travel 100 kms from Palghar to come to Mumbai. It was Dinesh Lad, who after watching his talent in a school match got him admitted to Swami Vivekanda International School in Borivili. It was the same school with which Lad is associated with.
Dinesh Lad, who also coached Rohit Sharma, kept Shardul at his residence as it was not easy for him to travel everyday at 4:30 am by train. According to Shardul, “Without Lad Sir, I doubt if I would have made it this far. Sir kept me at his residence and got me admitted at Swami Vivekananda International School. I got proper coaching under Sir as the school had good facilities.”
Shardul got a huge reception as he visited his school on Tuesday. He later visited his coach’s residence as well.
Shardul, who has 133 first class wickets in 37 games idolizes South African tear away fast bowler Dale Steyn. Over the years he has come across different fast bowlers during his stint with Kings XI Punjab and MRF Pace Foundation. But shortlists only a few names which he feels have immensely helped him shape his career. According to him, Zaheer Khan has played a huge role during his first two seasons in the Mumbai team. He did not have a great debut season picking 4 wickets from 4 matches while he had to miss out on the first three matches next season owing to injury. “It was Zaheer Sir, who constantly motivated me and guided me to bowl at the right areas. I would also like to thank Mitchell Johnson when I was in Kings XI Punjab. I wanted to know his mindset during the Ashes. I also want to mention Glen McGrath’s name as he helped me with my out swingers during my short stint at MRF,” said Shardul who was the joint highest wicket taker last season with Vinay Kumar with 48 wickets.
The uncapped cricketer has vowed to do his “homework” on the West Indies after the right-arm pace bowler earned his first India call-up for the Test tour of the Caribbean.
According to Shardul, “I will try to do well if I get an opportunity. My coach has suggested me not to try anything different, rather to keep it simple. I need to focus on my strengths.”
He had an outstanding season with the ball picking 41 wickets to help Mumbai emerge as the Ranji Trophy champions. He feels it is the rough and tough cricket in Mumbai that has helped him develop as a cricketer and earned him a test call up.”I strongly believe that the cricket culture in Mumbai is such that if a young cricketer can survive its rigours, he is certainly destined for bigger things. It is Mumbai cricket and the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team that has helped me get a national call-up,” 24-year-old Shardul commented.