Did India Miss the Trick by Not Picking Shardul Thakur for the Border Gavaskar Trophy?

It was a day to forget again for Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ajinkya Rahane who had a dismal outing during their 2nd innings against Jammu and Kashmir in a Ranji Trophy match, where they struggled to make significant contributions. However, Mumbai’s ever-reliable Shardul Thakur stepped up once again, proving why he’s often referred to as the "crisis man."

Thakur delivered a match-saving performance in both innings. After scoring a crucial fifty in the first innings that took Mumbai to 120 runs, he followed it up with a sensational unbeaten 113* in the second innings. His chanceless century, supported by Tanush Kotian’s solid 58, stretched Mumbai’s lead to a vital 188 runs, putting them in a commanding position.

Thakur didn’t shy away from expressing his frustration over being sidelined from the Indian Test team. “What can I say about my quality? Others should say about it. They should see that if someone has quality, he should be given more chances,” he said.

He also highlighted his preference for challenging situations, stating, “In easy situations, everyone does well, but how you put up the show in adverse situations matters. I see tough situations as a challenge and always think about how to overcome that challenge.”

This isn’t the first time Thakur has come through in crunch moments. In the 2024 Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha, his 75 at Wankhede Stadium helped Mumbai clinch the title. His heroics aren’t confined to domestic cricket, his memorable 67 at the Gabba in the 2021 Border Gavaskar Trophy played a pivotal role in India’s historic victory in Australia.

With his knack for performing under pressure and contributing with both bat and ball, one might wonder if India missed a trick by not including him in the recent Border Gavaskar Trophy squad. His all-round abilities and mental fortitude make him a valuable asset, especially in tough situations.