'I would have done that if I was there': Shardul Thakur's message to Indian team ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Mumbai's fast-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur believes that it is better to not respond to Australian players' sledging in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Sports Tak

• Sat • 16 Nov 2024

India's pacemen Mohammed Siraj (L) and Shardul Thakur celebrate the victory in the fourth Test match against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane on January 19, 2021.

Highlights:

Shardul Thakur's last Test appearance was against South Africa in 2023.

Thakur has 331 runs and 31 wickets from 11 Tests.

Bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur who was part of India's famous win against Australia at The Gabba said that the series is going to be challenging for both bowlers and the batters. Thakur backed the inexperienced cricketers who made their way to the squad via India A to perform in Australian conditions.

"Border Gavaskar Trophy is always intense," Thakur was quoted as saying by ANI. "This time we will be going to Australia. It will be challenging not only for the bowlers but for the batters as well. India has great bench strength right now, and those players who came to the national side from the India A team will do well."

While the Indians have been giving it back to the Australians, Thakur feels that it is wise to counter their sledging tactics by not responding to it.

"The best way to counter them is to not reply," he said. "Let them talk, and why should we reply and make it big? Don't give them anything to catch on, and let's see how much they can talk. I would have done that if I was there. It is the best way to answer the Australians."

Thakur's contribution in Gabba win

In 2021, Thakur was a vital cog in India's famous Gabba win. In just his second Test, he bagged three wickets in the first innings and then stitched a crucial 123-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Washington Sundar. The Mumbai all-rounder scored 67 runs. He was lethal with the ball in the second innings as well taking four wickets. India ended up winning the Test by three wickets to seal the series and script history in the absence of a few star players including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah.

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Thakur returns after surgery

After recovering from surgery, Thakur made his comeback in the Irani Cup. He remained wicketless and scored 38 runs. The 33-year-old has played five Ranji Trophy 2024-25 games so far claiming 14 wickets. His only half-century came against Tripura where he remained wicketless.

Thakur was also released by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. He has opted for a base price of Rs 2 crore. He can be roped in by CSK again via Right to Match (RTM) card.