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The selectors named an 18-man squad last month for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. A young Nitish Kumar Reddy who did well in the T20Is against Bangladesh was picked in the side ahead of Shardul Thakur who returned to competitive cricket after a surgery. Before boarding the flight to Australia, head coach Gautam Gambhir made it clear that they have moved on from Thakur and looking to invest in Reddy.
After taking seven wickets in a match against Services in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25, Thakur revealed that there has been no communication from the selectors. The 33-year-old understands his chances of making the squad were bleak after the surgery but his hopeful of making a comeback.
“I haven’t had any communication yet,” he told the reporters as quoted by The Indian Express. “I have just returned from surgery, so it’s obvious that’s the reason I am not in the team at the moment."
“However, my fitness is in great shape now, and since the Australia tour is a long one, opportunities can come anytime. Following that, the England team is also coming to India for white-ball matches, then there’s the Champions Trophy, so there’s a lot of cricket ahead. So, there will surely be chances somewhere down the line.
“My only focus at the moment is to further improve my fitness, work harder on my bowling, and always give 100% when I step onto the ground,” he added.
Thakur was part of India's historic Gabba win on the last tour of Australia. He played a crucial role with a half-century and seven wickets in India's three-wicket win to seal the series. He has been absent from the side since 2023. His last Test appearance was against South Africa.
Thakur 100 percent fit!
Thakur revealed that he lacked confidence on his return but has achieved 100 per cent fitness now. He blamed Mumbai fielders for lack of wickets in his column in the ongoing season.
“In the initial one or two matches, I had a bit of hesitation while starting, but as I kept playing matches post-surgery, my confidence gradually developed. Now, I have achieved 100 per cent fitness, and it’s reflected in my bowling as well. In the past three or four matches, I have been bowling in full rhythm. Although quite a few catches were dropped, so the wickets aren’t reflecting on the board. If those catches were taken, I would have had around 20 wickets in five matches. But that’s part and parcel of the game,” he said.
