'Picking Shardul Thakur over Navdeep Saini is a blunder' - Twitter roasts Mumbai pacer after poor show in Hamilton

It was inevitable, wasn’t it? At some time, it had to happen! For far too long New Zealand had snatched defeat from the jaws of victory; in fact they did it three times in a row in the just-concluded five-match Twenty20 International series. They were threatening to do so once again in the first ODI at Seddon Park in Hamilton, but in the end, Shardul Thakur’s listless bowling in the penultimate over and some pulsating hitting by Mitchell Santner sealed the deal for the BlackCaps.

Shardul Thakur once again endured a night to forget as he struggled to control his line and length and was duly taken to the cleaners by the likes of Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, and other New Zealand batsmen. He went on to concede 80 runs in his nine overs at an economy of 8.9 which also included a 22-run 40th over where Ross Taylor and Tom Latham teed into his juicy lengths.

The team management’s decision to opt for Shardul Thakur for the first One-day International came as a huge surprise for everyone, considering the fact that he was dropped from the side following another forgetful day against Australia in Mumbai in the last ODI series. And his replacement-Navdeep Saini- had impressed with his pace and temperament in the limited opportunities he has got.

And, so naturally, the Netizens aren’t impressed with Shardul Thakur’s performance and want Virat Kohli and the team management to replace the Mumbai fast bowler with Navdeep Saini. But, it wasn’t only Shardul who had an off day. Overall, the Indian bowling was pretty undisciplined.

Indisciplined team India on the field

They bowled as many as 24 wides and were pretty wayward when it came to line and lengths, something that was exploited to the hilt by Ross Taylor, Tom Latham and co, something Virat Kohli also acknowledged in the presentation ceremony. Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, all the other bowlers conceded more than six runs an over.

To make things worse for the skipper, the fielding wasn’t up to the mark either with Kuldeep Yadav dropping Ross Taylor’s catch when he was on 12 and the veteran made the visitors pay.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

I don't understand what the management actually wants from the players. You've a batting depth till no.7, and you still want a shardul thakur to play just for that rare batting support he will provide in 1/10 games. Keeping saini out for shardul is not even worth a laugh.#NZvIND

— Darsh Modi (@_darshmodi) February 5, 2020

Navdeep saini in the dressing room waiting for shardul thakur. pic.twitter.com/TRGVyqDGbs

— Nitin (@Nitin27003009) February 5, 2020

At this point I'm convinced Virat does heads and tail on Google assistant early morning and picks players on that basis. Ssly. Saini. Shardul. Saini. Shardul. Musical chair chal raha hai kya 😑

— saurabh. (@Boomrah_) February 5, 2020

Bring back Kulcha and enough of Shardul. Saini should be XI.
Chahal and kuldeep would be better option.
To take wicket in middle over you need to create pressure.
Go with 5 genuine bowler and 6 batsman.#NZvIND

— Sharique (@Jerseyno93) February 5, 2020

Shardul Thakur over Navdeep Saini. Give me one reason this is happening #NZvIND

— Prashanth (@ps_it_is) February 5, 2020

Saini is always a better choice than Shardul. I mean how can you pick Shardul over Saini. Seriously bullshit! #NZvIND

— Ankit Sharma🇮🇳 (@ankit2489786) February 5, 2020

Unfortunate Navdeep Saini, despite winning the Man of the Series in the last ODI series, doesn't find a spot in this team, he is a wicket taking bowler, who breaks partnerships. A bits & pieces bowler like Shardul will get a wicket when a batsman tries to hit him for the 3rd six.

— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) February 5, 2020

Just woken up. Shardul playing over Saini. I guess it was good I wasn't awake during the time of toss. Would have lost my shit. Bc kya selection kar rahe hai!!? 🙂🤦🏻‍♂️

— saurabh. (@Boomrah_) February 5, 2020

Picking shardul over saini is obviously a blunder which he keeps repeating for some reason.. but if all other bowlers too have a bad day how is it all captain's fault? Some blame should go to bowlers also right?

— A (@aaditrix) February 5, 2020