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Thakur setback for Mumbai
MUMBAI: Already missing last season’s highest run-getter Shreyas Iyer, and key middle-order batsman Siddhesh Lad, to injuries, the defending champions have been
MUMBAI: Already missing last season’s highest run-getter Shreyas Iyer, and key middle-order batsman Siddhesh Lad, to injuries, the defending champions have been jolted another blow on the eve of their opening match against Tamil Nadu in Lahli.
Mumbai’s pace spearhead Shardul Thakur has been asked to report to Indore on Thursday for the third Test against New Zealand as a cover for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was ruled out of the Test due to a back strain. Thakur was also with the Indian team for the West Indies Test series in July.
Thakur has been a vital cog of Mumbai’s pace attack in the last couple of Ranji Trophy seasons. He was instrumental in helping Mumbai win the 41st Ranji title in the final against Saurashtra with his fifer in the second innings at Pune.
Thakur also did well on the recent India ‘A’ tour to Australia where he claimed 11 wickets in three matches. Dhawal Kulkarni will now have to carry extra workload of the Mumbai pace attack against Tamil Nadu. In Thakur’s absence, Tushar Deshpande is likely to make his debut.
Indian team’s SOS to Thakur at the last-minute has obviously disrupted Mumbai coach Chandrakant Pandit’s plans for the opening clash. “We were just done with our team meeting where we decided upon a plan for everyone, including Shardul. Everything was decided when I was informed that Shardul has to report to the Indian team,” Pandit told HT.
Mumbai were expecting Thakur to be called up for national duty during the Ranji season. But, it is the timing which has disrupted their plans. “We are very happy for Shardul that he will be with the Indian team. That is what every player works for. We were expecting Shardul to be with the Indian team since he was included for the West Indies tour. However, since he has to leave us on the eve of the opening match has caught us by surprise. We were not prepared for it. We will miss him, especially on a wicket which will assist pace bowling. It is an opportunity for other players to step up and take the responsibility,” Pandit said.
Over the last few seasons, Mumbai has done exceptionally well in their away games which is another reason that will make them favourites when the tournament will be played on neutral venues for the first time ever.
While there is a problem of plenty in the batting line-up and a good mixture of pacers, the only area where the team lacks is the options in the spin department.
