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'You require a batsman who can bowl': Bangar's praise for India star who has contributed in 'all the major victories'
During his much-talked presser on Wednesday, Kohli had said that the team has "quality" players and they will look to test bench strength in overseas conditions.
India's opening mix and lower-order batting will be put to test in South Africa as white-ball captain Rohit Sharma and star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja have been ruled out of the three-match series. Priyank Panchal has replaced Sharma in the Test squad, which has reached South Africa for the series starting December 26.
Jadeja, on the other hand, had suffered a right forearm injury during the first Test match in Kanpur. After undergoing scans, he was diagnosed with a swelling on his forearm. To add more misery, Axar Patel and Shubman Gill will also be out of the South Africa Tests, making the Indian team's overseas tour an injury-riddled one.
In the absence of many star players, former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar feels Shardul Thakur "definitely" has a place in the Playing XI. The 30-year-old bowling all-rounder is a part of the pace unit in India's 18-member squad for the Test series.
"There is definitely a place for Shardul Thakur because in all the major victories in the last season that have come for India, he has contributed and in overseas conditions, you require a batsman who can bowl a bit.
"He fits in that category because he can contribute with the bat and with the ball, he can contribute with a couple of wickets, as he displayed in the England series as well," said Bangar on Star Sports.
In his Test cricket sojourn so far, Shardul has scored 190 runs including three half-centuries. Top-scoring for India at The Gabba and notching up fifty-plus scores in each innings versus England are examples of the Mumbaikar's batting prowess.
Bangar also believes skipper Virat Kohli's template of playing four spinners and a spinner will work in Shardul's favour. "I would think the reasoning behind and the way the captain wants to have a say because ultimately it's the captain's team. Yes, Rahul Dravid can throw up some contrasting views because that is what a coach's job is, probably put up his case and then see what the captain thinks.
"But prior to the Oval Test match, you already saw what Virat Kohli's thought process suggests and from a distance, it seems that he is resigned to the fact that he wants to play with four seamers and one spinner in overseas conditions," Bangar further said.
During his much-talked presser on Wednesday, Kohli had also said that the team has "quality" players and they will look to test bench strength in overseas conditions.
"We do have quality in the side to be able to create the best combination possible on the field for us and still be in positions to win Test matches because we have created that kind of bench strength and environment where people coming in are seizing their opportunity and making sure the team is helped by their performances," he had said.
India are scheduled to play three Tests and as many ODIs from December 26 to January 23 in South Africa.
