Shardul Thakur made IND vs Eng 1st Test Claim, Slams Century vs Jaspreet Bumrah and co -cum

Shardul Thakur moved one step closer to securing a place in the playing XI in the IND vs ENG 1st Test on Sunday. Featuring in the practice game, the all-rounder smashed a stunning century. Thakur last played for India in the Boxing Day Test in 2023 but is now set for a return in the India vs England series.

IND vs ENG: Shardul Thakur gives perfect audition for Test comeback in practice game

5 days before the start of the IND vs ENG 1st Test, Shardul Thakur has made his best shot to make the XI. As per Indian Express, the Mumbai pacer smashed a fine hundred. Thakur’s batting prowess is not unknown, but his returns against the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh. He featured for India A against the main squad.

The 33-year-old stroked 122 at Beckenham to put himself in the best position to feature in the playing XI. Coach Gautam Gambhir is known to prefer all-rounders in the team and Shardul could well make a return after more than a year out. He was part of the Indian squad during the last tour of England and already has 3 fifties in the country.

Should Shardul feature, he will play at No.8 adding batting depth and dovetailing as the 4th pacer in the side. His heroics mean Nitish Reddy could miss out. Reddy featured in all 5 tests in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. However, he has struggled for form in the India A games. Shardul also made an impact with ball in hand. The 33-year-old was amongst the wickets against the likes of Kl Rahul and Shubman Gill. He has all but sealed his place in the team.