Indian bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur is not playing the ongoing second Test match against West Indies in Trinidad. Announced by captain Rohit Sharma after being asked to bat first by West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite at the toss, the development remains the only change made by the visiting team to a winning combination.
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Barring his Test debut almost five years ago, all the other nine Tests played by Thakur have come away from home primarily because of the fact that his skills with a bat in hand. That said, he played the first Test in Dominica as a specialist third pacer in the absence of regulars such as Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav.
It is noteworthy that Thakur has been replaced by Bengal and Delhi Capitals pacer Mukesh Kumar in the Indian Playing XI. One of the most consistent pacers in the Indian domestic circuit of late, Kumar has picked 149 wickets across 39 first-class matches at an average and strike rate of 21.55 and 47.7 respectively including six five-wicket hauls.
Why Is Shardul Thakur Not Playing Today vs West Indies?
Thakur, who bowled only seven overs in the previous match, had picked a wicket in his first over itself. However, he hasn’t been left out on the basis of his performance. Readers must note that the 31-year old player is missing this match due to a niggle.
“Shardul [Thakur] has pulled up a niggle – something wrong with his groin. He’s not [100%] fit. Mukesh Kumar is going to make his debut. He has worked hard in the domestic cricket,” Sharma told the host broadcaster at the toss.
West Indies, on the other hand, have made a couple of changes to their Playing XI for this match. While debutant batter Kirk McKenzie has replaced Raymon Reifer at No. 3, fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has come in place of all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall. For the unversed, Gabriel is the second-highest Test wicket-taker at the Queen’s Park Oval among active international cricketers.
