Irfan Pathan backs Shardul Thakur to play ODI World Cup 2023

Shardul Thakur in action [Source: AP]

Recently, team India whitewashed New Zealand to recapture the top spot in the ODI standings. 

Bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur starred with the ball in the third dead rubber in Indore, ensuring India's clinical 3-0 victory in the series. 

Overall, the Mumbai seamer scalped six wickets in three outings, impressing everyone with his incredible wicket-taking abilities. 

In the aftermath of Shardul's phenomenal performance in the series, legendary former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan backed the seamer to play the ODI World Cup scheduled later this year. 

Pathan addressed Shardul as an asset in white-ball cricket, highlighting his batting as a huge advantage for team India. 

Here's what Pathan stated

"If you ask Shardul, he will be the No. 1. He bowled really well. He is a trier; he keeps trying. When you see him, you will always feel that he doesn't have that kind of swing, he doesn't have that kind of pace which is 140-plus consistently, but he will always be in your face. and he wants to keep taking wickets,

"If you ask me that particular question about Shardul Thakur, because of that batting ability at No. 8, he should certainly be there in that group of players who are going to be keeping their hands up and saying that they should be there in the World Cup as well."

After the ODIs, both teams will face each other in a three-match T20I series starting Friday. 

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