5 cricketers who were lucky to play for India in 2019
India is one of the top cricketing nations of the world and the pressure associated with representing the subcontinent giants on the international stage is massive
5. Shardul Thakur
It’s not easy being a fast bowler trying to break into the Indian team these days—the competition is intense. With many skilful and experienced pacers in the set-up, where does Shardul Thakur fit in?
The Mumbai bowler’s ability to handle his nerves shines through in the high-pressure white-ball format. It proved vital in India’s final international of 2019, against West Indies, where he played a cameo to power the team home in Cuttack.
It is this quality that endears him to his captains, impressing MS Dhoni first and now Virat Kohli. They have more effective bowlers at their disposal but Thakur’s captains are aware that when the fight reaches the trenches, Thakur will be up for it.
He is mainly an injury backup for frontline options like Bhuveshwar Kumar or Deepak Chahar in T20Is and going by his lacklustre ODI returns, he doesn’t deserve to be given a continued run in ODI’s when the main seamers are out injured. He is included in the team to face off against Australia soon, but he must consider himself very lucky to play for India in 2019- he can thank other fast bowlers for getting injured to allow him to play for India last year.
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