Ind vs Eng Tests: Veteran India batter backs under fire Shardul Thakur

Pace bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur is under scrutiny for his below par performance in the recently-concluded first Test against England at Leeds.

Indian captain Shubman Gill was also criticised for underutilizing the Mumbai all-rounder as Thakur bowled just 16 overs in the first over.

Meanwhile, out of favour India cricket team batter Ajinkya Rahane has appealed to captain Gill to use Shardul Thakur in a better way in the ongoing England series. The veteran batter backed his Mumbai teammate to do wonders with the ball.

According to Rahane, Shardul was a bowler who could swing the ball both ways and get wickets for the team. He urged Gill to allow Thakur to open the bowling along with Bumrah. Rahane has worked in close quarters with Shardul in domestic tournaments and he knows the utility of the all-rounder.

Must Read: Prithvi Shaw opens up on dark phase; 'no big cricketer called me, except...'

"Shardul is an experienced player, he has done really well in overseas Tests. I want to see more overs from Thakur. If the Indian team can use Shardul in a better way that will be really great. I have seen that he can swing the ball both ways and is a wicket-taker," said Rahane on his official YouTube channel.

"Captain can even give Shardul the new ball. He can swing the ball both ways. With the Duke ball, the ball starts behaving after 10 or 12 overs. So, if Shardul can start the bowling with Bumrah and Siraj can come as the first change, that would be really great," he added.