Xtra Time Web Desk: Indian captain Virat Kohli on Wednesday confirmed that Shardul Thakur will not be available for selection for the second test against England which starts at Lords from Thursday. The Mumbai medium pacer was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Shardul is likely to be available for the third Test at Leeds, starting on August 25, given a break of 9 days between the second and third test.
Shardul who bowled 26 overs – the least among the Indian seamers in the first Test – did not seem to be any discomfort but the 29-yeard-old reportedly complained about a hamstring injury on Monday.It will be interesting to see who Shardul Thakur is replaced with.
Kohli did hinted at playing four seamers in English conditions but now with the injury to Shardul, the visitors might have to rethink their strategy to include Ravichandran Ashwin. Shardul was preferred in the first test ahead of experienced Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav because of his batting.
“The good thing is that Jadeja has got runs in the first game already, so he will go into the second game confident. That already makes our batting a bit deeper, the lower-order contributed with the bat as well. Shardul brings in more batting ability but having said that, from the batsmen’s point of view, we are well placed. Pujara, Rahane and I did not score too many, every game is an opportunity for other batsmen to step up as well,” said Kohli during the pre match virtual press conference.
Kohli added, “Rohit and KL played really well, we are comfortable with how we are placed. We do not feel that we are batsmen short if Shardul does not play. For us, it is about finding that right balance, if Shardul is not available, we will try to take 20 wickets first and we feel comfortable with how the first Test went. “