T20 World Cup: Shardul Thakur replaces Axar Patel – Despite a string of good performances, Axar Patel has been pushed to the reserves with Shardul Thakur being promoted to India’s T20 World Cup squad. However, Hardik Pandya’s poor form and fitness notwithstanding, he has retained his place in the squad. Varun Chakravarthy, the other question mark in the squad, for his injury, has kept his place.
“The All-India Senior Selection Committee after a discussion with the team management has added Shardul Thakur to the main squad. All-rounder Axar Patel, who was part of the 15-member squad will now be on the list of standby players,” the BCCI said in a statement.
T20 World Cup: Shardul Thakur replaces Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan retain places in WC squad
T20 World Cup: Shardul Thakur, who has established himself as a reliable seam-bowling all-rounder in Test cricket is a like-to-like replacement for Hardik Pandya but he lacks the T20 charisma that the flamboyant Mumbai Indians all-rounder possesses. InsideSport earlier reported that Hardik Pandya will not be dropped irrespective of his form barring any late injury.
“There is no question of replacing Hardik at this stage. Shardul or Deepak are not ready to take on the role. We have to develop backup in future. But now, it’s not the time, he will not be replaced” a BCCI source told InsideSport.in.
T20 World Cup: But as Hardik Pandya is unlikely to take up the bowling role during the World Cup once again, India will need a seam-bowling all-rounder and Shardul Thakur could pip Hardik Pandya in the Playing XI with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami becoming the first-choice pacers.
Furthermore, BCCI and the selectors have kept their faith in Rahul Chahar and all Mumbai Indians stars with Yuzvendra Chahal also being left out beside Shreyas Iyer keeping his place in the reserves.
T20 World Cup: No place for Yuzvendra Chahal despite fine IPL 2021 show
- Yuzvendra Chahal bagged 14 wickets in 8 matches in the UAE in IPL 2021.
- Hardik Pandya didn’t bowl and returned with just one match-winning score of 30-ball 40 against PBKS.
- His fitness has raised concerns and MI coach ruled him out of bowling action.
- Rahul Chahar despite starting well in IPL 2021 Phase 1, he endured a poor run in the UAE and was dropped from the MI Playing XI.
- Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav got their lifelines after good show in the last two matches.
India’s squad for T20 WC: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul Chahar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami
Stand-by players: Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Axar Patel
T20 World Cup: Shardul Thakur replaces Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan retain places in WC squad
Net bowlers: Avesh Khan, Umran Malik, Harshal Patel, Lukman Meriwala, Venkatesh Iyer, Karn Sharma, Shahbaz Ahmed and K. Gowtham.
