“…Isn’t as good as Hardik Pandya,” says New Zealand’s great on India’s star. Shardul Thakur, according to Scott Styris, isn’t as good as star all-rounder Hardik Pandya and will have to fight his way back into the team.
Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris believes Shardul Thakur will struggle to re-enter the Indian team, especially with the rise of Hardik Pandya. Shardul, who did not play in the white-ball series against England, is one of five pacers in India’s 16-man squad for the one-day international series against the West Indies. Meanwhile, Hardik has been in superb form for India, earning the title of ‘Man of the Series’ against England. Styris, on the other hand, believes Shardul isn’t as good as star all-rounder Hardik and will have to fight his way back into the team.
New Zealand’s great on India’s star: “…Isn’t as good as Hardik”
“That’s the one thing he has going for him: he bats. The downside is Hardik Pandya’s emergence as a true all-rounder. Do you need two of those types of players because Shardul Thakur isn’t as good as Hardik Pandya as an all-rounder, in my opinion? “Styris stated this on SPORTS 18’s ‘SPORTS OVER THE TOP.’
Styris also mentioned Shardul as a possible backup to Hardik.
“So perhaps he is competing for a backup spot rather than a spot on the frontline. We’ve seen him play many match-winning innings for India, usually in longer formats of the game, but he does have that ability to hit boundaries, close out innings, or put the finishing touches, the “cherry on top,” if you will “He continued.
Shardul may play all three ODIs if Hardik is not selected for the series against the West Indies.
Hardik, on the other hand, will return to the team for the five-match T20I series against the Windies.
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