Gambhir shuts down reporter! 'Just because he is the 4th seamer does not necessarily mean...': Gautam Gambhir explains why Shardul Thakur was underbowled in Headingley Test

India vs England Test series: On the England tour, all-rounder Shardul Thakur made a comeback to the Test team. While he scored just five runs from innings and contributed to the batting collapse, he was severely underbowled in the Headingley Test. Thakur is known for leaking runs but many experts believe he has a knack of getting breakthroughs. On Day 5 of the Test series opener, Thakur did exactly that at Headingley, Leeds. He got the wickets of Ben Duckett and Harry Brook off consecutive deliveries to get India back in the game. However, despite the two big wickets, he bowled just 10 overs. Prasidh Krishna and left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja were considered ahead of him with the old ball.

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Head coach Gautam Gambhir defended on-debut captain Shubman Gill's decision to go with Jadeja as the ball was turning. In addition, Jadeja provided control from one end so that Gill could use pacers from the other.

"Sometimes captain goes with his instincts and Ravindra Jadeja gave us control in first innings, that was important and we could rotate our three pacers at other end," Gambhir said in the post-match press conference.

"We know what is Shardul's quality and that is why he is playing for India and is in the dressing room. Just because he is the fourth seamer does not necessarily mean that he has to be brought ahead of a spinner. A captain went by his instinct and depending on surface we were playing."

ALSO READ: Why Jasprit Bumrah didn't bowl with 2nd new ball? Shubman Gill explains as England chase down 371 in Headingley

Just 6 overs in 1st innings

In the first innings, Thakur bowled just six overs and conceded 38 runs. Not just Thakur was expensive in England's first innings, Krishna conceded 128 runs from 20 overs, with a slightly higher economy rate. However, Krishna got three wickets (Ollie Pope, Brook and Jamie Smith).

Thakur or Kuldeep for 2nd Test?

After the defeat in series opener, it will be interesting to see whether Thakur retains his place in the side or not. The pitch at Edgbaston, Birmingham, may provide some assistance to spinners. India have an option to play left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav who is waiting in the wings.

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