“I genuinely rate him as a cricketer” - Ravi Ashwin questions Shardul Thakur’s role in Leeds Test

Former Indian spinner and analyst Ravi Ashwin has questioned the Indian Test captain Shubman Gill for not properly utilizing the bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur in the Leeds Test against England.

While Thakur bowled only six overs, conceding 38 runs at an economy of 6.30 without picking up a wicket in the first innings, he scalped two wickets of Ben Duckett and Harry Brook in the second innings in his 10-over spell, conceding 51 runs.

While praising Thakur, Ashwin questioned Gill for not utilizing him in the first 40 overs of the game. However, in the second innings, he kept Team India in the game for a while with his two big wickets in his 10-over spell.

"You have taken Shardul Thakur in the team and didn't give him a ball in the first 40 overs. And Joe Root was batting. And Shardul has a very decent match-up against Joe Root. So, if Shardul Thakur's role is not less, then I genuinely rate Shardul as a cricketer," Ashwin said in his YouTube channel.

"He has caught Ben Duckett and Harry Brook. He can make things happen. But he has to use them at the right time. But if this is going to be the way he is going to be used, I don't think he is really making any sense. Because he has to be given the ball for him to make a difference. He didn't bowl that much in the first 40 overs,” he added.

With Thakur getting very limited overs in both innings combined, Ashwin asserted that it is unfair to raise an argument on his spot in the playing XI for the second Test, scheduled to start on Wednesday, July 2.

"He didn't bowl that much in the second innings either. Obviously, much more than the first innings. So, his role was very limited and I think it is very unfair to raise an argument on what he did," Ashwin stated.

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