Shardul Thakur eyes India test return with Ranji dominance

Mumbai's seasoned pacer, Shardul Thakur, remains optimistic about a future comeback to the Indian national cricket team. The 33-year-old last donned the Indian jersey during the Test series against South Africa at Centurion in December 2023. Despite contributing modest scores of 24 and 2 runs with the bat and taking a single wicket, he was omitted from the playing XI for the subsequent Test and has since been sidelined across all formats for India.

Nonetheless, Shardul's stellar form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy suggests he is far from being out of contention. Representing Mumbai, he showcased his all-around prowess with a century (119) and a fifty (51) against Jammu and Kashmir, under the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane. Furthermore, in a dominant display against Meghalaya, he bagged a hat trick among his eight wickets in the match and blasted an aggressive 84 off 42 balls.

Continuing his red-hot streak, Thakur delivered a match-defining performance in the quarterfinal against Haryana at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, where he took six wickets for 58 runs, securing a vital first-innings lead for Mumbai.

Despite his absence from the national side, Thakur maintains a focus on performance rather than dwelling on setbacks. In his words, "Disappointment is natural when there’s no place in the team. But once on the field, my focus is on the match, irrespective of whether it’s club cricket, Ranji, IPL, or playing for India. Every game is important, and my aim is always to give my best."

Thakur's impactful performances in the 2021 Test series against England are a testament to his capability, and he aspires to replicate that success should he get another opportunity in English conditions. With India poised for a five-match Test series in England from June to August, Shardul believes he is "in contention" for a spot.

"The goal remains to secure my place in the team. International cricket is the pinnacle and the motivating factor that keeps the passion alive," Thakur affirmed.

Despite going unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction, Thakur is evaluating county cricket as an avenue to enhance his adaptability to English conditions ahead of the England tour. "If an offer comes, I would certainly consider playing county cricket. It would help acclimatize to the conditions before the Test series," he concluded.

As one of the pillars of Mumbai’s cricketing setup, Shardul Thakur continues to push the boundaries of his game, keeping the dream of donning the national colors once more, well within reach.