England vs India: 3 Reasons why Shardul Thakur should be dropped in 2nd Test

India's loss in the first Test match at Leeds has raised questions about the team's makeup, particularly in the bowling department. Although the visitors had periods of control, they were ultimately defeated by poor execution and dubious choices.

Shardul Thakur's lackluster performance is one such issue. There were calls for Thakur to be excluded from the second Test because, despite his reputation for being an all-around player, he did not make an impression with the bat or the ball.

Here are 3 Reasons why Shardul Thakur should be dropped in 2nd Test:

1. Poor bowling

In Leeds, Shardul Thakur's bowling lacked efficacy, rhythm, and control.  In England's opening innings, he bowled just six overs, making it obvious that captain Shubman Gill didn't think highly of him. He never used threats to sever the partnership or exert pressure, and his economy rate was low.

Thakur bowled 10 overs in the second innings, giving up 51 runs and taking two wickets in a single over.  As India battled to defend a target of 371 points, his efforts were insignificant.  Thakur's inability to produce movement or sustain accuracy on a useful surface rendered his role less and less significant.

2. Abysmal batting

Shardul Thakur, who was formerly seen to be a useful lower-order batsman, was a complete failure in both innings.  When India needed late-order consistency, he provided no opposition with his meager 1 and 4 run totals.  Because of his prior batting prowess, particularly in 2021, he was picked over Nitish Reddy.

Expectations had been raised by his domestic form for Mumbai, which included a Ranji century.  His recent results, nevertheless, have fallen short of that expectation.  Thakur's incapacity to make a substantial batting contribution only exacerbates India's already precarious tail situation.

3. No valuable contribution

Shardul Thakur did not make a significant contribution to either department. An all-around player must excel in at least one area, but he failed to do so. According to reports, his presence was more symbolic than tactical, and his fielding errors caused tensions to rise with Ravindra Jadeja.

More focused value is provided by other experts, including Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. India cannot afford to carry players who don't perform well in a series with large stakes. Before the second Test, a change in individuals could enhance the team's overall performance, balance, and intent.

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