WI vs IND 2023: Shardul Thakur gets very limited credit for the way he bowls, says Aakash Chopra

Former Indian Test opening batter Aakash Chopra reckons Shardul Thakur doesn’t get the credit he deserves for the way he bowls. Thakur has been a partnership breaker for India and has done a decent job whenever he has been given the ball by the skipper.

Thakur ended as the leading wicket-taker of the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, picking up eight wickets at an average of 11.62 and conceding his runs at an economy rate of 5.31.

The right-arm seamer was brilliant in the third game as he returned with impressive figures of 4-37 in 6.3 overs he bowled and played a key role in India’s massive win of 200 runs. Furthermore, Thakur had returned with three wickets in the second ODI of the series.

“In the previous match itself, Shardul took three wickets. He gets very limited credit for the way he bowls. I am trying to figure out how he takes so many wickets and why he is expensive, both things going hand-in-hand,” JioCinema expert Aakash Chopra said.

Since the 2019 World Cup, Thakur has been right on the money for the Indian team, bagging 48 wickets in 32 ODI matches, the most for any Indian bowler.

The reputed commentator lauded Thakur for backing his methods and bowling in the right areas to reap rewards with the ball.

“If you are taking three wickets, the economy shouldn’t be much to worry about because 300 is going to be there as a target. He doesn’t give more than 6 runs per over, must be 6.1-6.2. The number of balls he bowls, the chances of him getting a wicket are very bright,” Chopra said.

“We say it’s wicket-taking luck, but if you closely observe Shardul, the reason why he has the wicket-taking luck is because he bowls in those areas and he has a lot of belief. If you ever ask him how good are you? He would answer: “equal to Dennis Lillee!”. That’s the confidence he has, and I love him for that,” Chopra added.

Thakur can deliver with both ball as well as the bat for India and he is going to hold the key for the team if he continues to perform consistently.