Newbie pacer Shardul wants to bowl to Kohli, test himself for Windies tour

Rookie Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur, the lone new face for India’s tour of West Indies Test, on Thursday said he wants to test himself by bowling to Test skipper Virat Kohli in the nets.

Rookie Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur, the lone new face for India’s tour of West Indies Test, on Thursday said he wants to test himself by bowling to Test skipper Virat Kohli in the nets.

Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Murali Vijay and Shardul Thakur on the first day of the preparatory camp ahead of the West Indies series, in Bengaluru on Wednesday. (PTI)

Thakur, who earned the selectors’ nod on the back of a terrific Ranji Trophy performance (41 wickets in the 2015-16 season), said bowling to a batsman of Kohli’s calibre will help him identify his weaknesses.

“Bowling to good batsmen in the nets is always an advantage as it shows you where you stand, what you need to work on and how you can improve. So, I am looking forward to bowling to Virat Kohli in the nets and test myself,” the pacer was quoted as saying on BCCI’s website.

The 24-year-old, who reached the National Cricket Academy on Wednesday for the preparatory camp prior to the Caribbean tour, admitted he was nervous but also insisted that such situations bring out the best in him.

“It feels great. I was really excited to come here and give my best. On the first day, we did a few fitness tests and I am happy I did well,” he added.

Hailing new head coach Anil Kumble, who assumed charge on the first day of the camp, the promising seamer said he is looking forward to learning a lot from the former leg-spin great.

“I must say he created an impact right in his first interaction itself. I am keen to work with him and learn a lot of things. He is a legend. He has loads of experience and it is going to be very useful to the team and me. I am looking forward to spending time with him on this tour,” he said.