Pace bowler Shardul Thakur is likely to make his much-awaited comeback to the Indian Test team for their upcoming red-ball series in England. Indian selectors might pick the 33-year-old, potentially marking his return to the Test side after a two-year absence.
With the England tour just a month away, the BCCI and Indian selectors face a challenging decision in finalizing the squad for the five-match series, which also kicks off the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. The Indian team comes off the back of two back-to-back Test series defeats to New Zealand and Australian, sparking public calls over necessary changes in the squad.
Moreover, the Indian team also faces an added challenge of replacing three veteran players, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and R. Ashwin, who announced their retirement from the longest format of the game. The departure of some of India’s most senior Test players has significantly impacted the team, leaving it without considerable experiences as well as depth, both in terms of batting and bowling.
To add to the worries, India has also dropped down to the 4th place on the ICC Test Rankings, making a transitional phase for the red-ball side. Amid these concerns, reports have emerged that the BCCI was considering the inclusion of several new and old faces in the Indian Test side. Veteran all-rounder Shardul Thakur is one of the players, who was shortlisted to make a comeback into the side.
The 33-year-old’s inclusion in the side as the fouth pacer might strengthen the team’s bowling attack, as well as provide the much needed experience that India lacks. Shardul Thakur possesses the ability of scalping wickets at crucial junctures, as well as contribute with the bat when needed. The upcoming England series provides the Mumbai-born all-rounder to reclaim his spot in the Indian Test team.
Shardul Thakur last represented India in a Test match in 2023 against South Africa at the Centurion. His strong performance for Mumbai in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, where he scored 505 runs, including a century and four half-centuries. This made him their second-highest scorer, and he took 35 wickets at an average of 22.63. It has significantly boosted his chances of returning to the Indian Test squad.
Moreover, his experience of having played for India in the past, make him a valuable all-round asset. Across 11 Test matches, the 33-year-old has impressively taken 31 wickets at an average of 28.39, and contributed 331 runs with the bat. He had even signed up to play for Essex in the 2025 County Cricket Championships, but was called up by the Lucknow Super Giants as a replacement in the IPL.
Notably, the last time Shardul Thakur played in England in 2021, he took eight wickets and scored 122 runs in three matches. Besides Thakur, several other experienced players could be considered for a comeback to India’s Test team, including Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane and Karun Nair.
Shardul Thakur reacts to Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket
Indian cricketer Shardul Thakur shared his thoughts on Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket, exclaiming that Test cricket lost its ‘best devotee.’ Thakur’s reaction followed Kohli’s announcement to end his glorious 14-year long red-ball career on social media.
Shardul Thakur has played some of his best Test innings under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, including a match-winning 57 run-innings off just 38 balls, in the fourth Test of India’s red-ball series against England, in 2021. Reflecting on Kohli’s retirement, the 33-year-old recalled that match and stated he always admired Kohli as a leader and created many cherished memories with him during overseas tours.
I always looked at him as a captain and a leader, especially in test cricket. He was synonymous with Test cricket and literally carried the format on his shoulders. Today, the format lost it’s best devotee…
Shardul Thakur on Virat Kohli’s retirement (H/T X)
With Kohli and Rohit Sharma having announced their retirement from Test cricket, a new leader has to rise. It will likely be experienced players like Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja , Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, who will have to step up. The wait for India’s next leader awaits!
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