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'Shardul Thakur Is...': Rahul Dravid's Remarks on All-Rounders' Place in Playing XI

image-lo04ru9nDravid has commented on Shardul's place in playing XI [AP Photo]

Rahul Dravid hinted at India benching utility fast-bowling allrounder Shardul Thakur for the next ICC World Cup 2023 game against New Zealand in Dharamshala on Sunday (October 11). The Indian head coach suggested India could tweak the balance and combination for the BlackCaps encounter in a forced move amidst injury to Hardik Pandya. 

With Pandya ruled out of the fixture following an ankle injury during the previous match versus Bangladesh, India are bound to change their playing XI. While backup middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav looks set to walk in at No.6 as India return to the five-bowler combination, it isn't certain if Thakur will be retained as the third seamer or Dravid will give experienced seamer Mohammad Shami his first opportunity. 

The option of playing R Ashwin as the third spinner is realistically out of the equation keeping in mind the pace-friendly conditions in Dharamsala, which means Shardul is at loggerheads with Shami heading into this one. For the team management, a major consideration will be whether they can depend on Thakur as a third seamer without the Pandya cover. 

Dravid On Thakur Vs Shami For Kiwi Clash 

If the think-tank finds it too big a risk to continue with the enforcer in the absence of a fourth seam-bowling option, they would welcome the in-form Shami into the line-up to face the BlackCaps in what promises to be India's toughest match of the World Cup so far. 

"We will obviously miss the balance we have had in the first four games," Dravid told the press. "Shardul Thakur's role was to be our bowling all-rounder, bowl those middle overs and he has a knack of picking wickets. He hasn't had the chance to bat for long but he has been working hard on his batting."

Dravid appreciated the contribution of Thakur, who has delivered tight spells as second-change seamer in India's four wins at the start of the competition and provided the side assurance as a batter down at No.8. However, the coach also indicated that the Mumbaikar might have to make way for a specialist seamer against New Zealand. 

"With Hardik not being there, we can certainly go with three fast bowlers. We can also play Ashwin alongside him and then the two spinners. Wouldn't want to give much out but we know what our playing XI is for tomorrow," the coach added.