Shardul Thakur Confident in Virat Kohli’s Form Ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Shardul Thakur Backs Virat Kohli to Shine in Border-Gavaskar Trophy Despite Recent Struggles
The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia is set to begin on November 22 at Perth, and ahead of the series, Indian cricketer Shardul Thakur has expressed strong belief in Virat Kohli’s ability to perform despite recent struggles.
Thakur Backs Kohli to Deliver in the Series
Both Kohli and Rohit Sharma have faced considerable scrutiny following their inconsistent performances during India’s recent New Zealand tour. The pair managed just 184 runs combined across six innings, prompting questions about their place in the Test side. However, Thakur, who has been working on his own fitness, believes that Kohli’s stellar track record, especially in Australia, will prove to be crucial.
Thakur commented, “With playing, criticism will always come. When Virat bats, we tend to expect him to score a century every time. So, even if he scores 70 runs, it feels like he has failed, but the reality is, he has still scored 70 runs. He has made so many centuries; after Sachin Tendulkar, he is the one with the most centuries in the world.”
Kohli’s Proven Success in Australia
Thakur went on to highlight Kohli’s outstanding performances in Australia, where the former Indian captain has amassed over 600 runs in 13 Tests, averaging over 50. Thakur expressed his confidence, saying, “Everyone knows, deep down, how well Virat plays in Australia. He has everything — whether it’s technique or the right approach — to succeed on the Australian tour. He has proven it time and again whenever he has toured Australia, and I am confident he will do it again this time.”
Shardul Thakur’s Road to Recovery
Thakur himself has been on a remarkable journey of recovery. After undergoing surgery, the pacer returned to domestic cricket with a match-winning performance in Mumbai’s Elite Group A clash against Services. He took seven wickets across both innings, including standout figures of 3 for 39 in 12 overs on the third day.
Reflecting on his recovery, Thakur shared, “In the initial one or two matches, I had a bit of hesitation while starting, but as I kept playing matches post-surgery, my confidence gradually developed. Now, I have achieved 100% fitness, and it’s reflected in my bowling as well.”
Despite the setbacks of dropped catches, Thakur was pleased with his form and fitness, expressing satisfaction with his performance. “Although quite a few catches were dropped, so the wickets aren’t reflecting on the board. If those catches were taken, I would have had around 20 wickets in five matches. But that’s part and parcel of the game.”
Thakur Optimistic for Future Opportunities
While Thakur was overlooked for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad, he remains hopeful about future opportunities, particularly with a busy cricket calendar ahead. With Australia’s extended tour of India, as well as England’s upcoming white-ball series in India and the Champions Trophy, Thakur is determined to stay fit and ready for any chance that comes his way.
“My fitness is in great shape now, and since the Australia tour is a long one, opportunities can come anytime. There’s a lot of cricket ahead — the England white-ball series, the Champions Trophy, and more. I’m just focused on improving my fitness, working harder on my bowling, and giving 100% every time I step onto the ground,” Thakur stated.
