'If Shardul gets the freedom, he will deliver with the ball' - Ajinkya Rahane

Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane suggested that the team management should consider using Shardul Thakur with the new ball, given his ability to swing it. However, in the opening Test, Shardul bowled only a few overs and was brought into the attack after the ball had lost some of its shine.

Rahane pointed out that the Dukes ball typically starts to show movement after 10 to 12 overs, and using Shardul as a first-change bowler, after Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, could make him more effective and help him pick up more wickets.

“I feel an all-rounder’s role is very important. Shardul Thakur has been an experienced player and has done well in Test cricket overseas. I want to see more overs from Shardul. If the Indian team can use Shardul Thakur in a better way, that will be great. Whatever I have seen with him, he can swing the ball both ways and is a wicket-taker. If Shardul can bowl the first change or even be given the new ball he can swing it both ways,” Rahane said on his YouTube channel.

“With the duke ball, it generally starts to behave after 10 or 12 overs. If Shardul can start the bowling with Bumrah and Siraj can come in as one change, that will be great. I would like to see Shardul bowling more overs. Give him that freedom, he will get you more wickets,” Rahane added.

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Rahane lauded Bumrah for his five-wicket haul in Leeds and praised his intent and approach during the game. He noted that the right-arm pacer maintained aggression throughout his spells and commended the intensity he brought to the field.

“Bumrah’s five wicket-haul in the first innings was amazing. Apart from his five wickets, what I liked about Bumrah was his intent. The way he was running in his run-up. His intensity throughout his bowling was amazing. The lines and lengths that he bowled. He was aggressive throughout in his bowling approach,” Rahane said

Bumrah need support from other end: Rahane

The right-handed batter emphasized the need for Bumrah to receive support from the other end. He remarked that Bumrah should not be burdened with bowling long spells and that bowlers like Siraj or Prasidh Krishna should step up and share the responsibility.

“What I would like to see is support from the other end. Bumrah is obviously bowling his attacking lengths but if he can get support from Siraj and Prasidh, that will be great for him. You don’t want Bumrah under pressure and start bowling too many overs and the pressure comes on the team. I want to see Siraj taking that responsibility and also Prasidh if he plays that second Test match,” he concluded.