Playing the WTC final is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for me: Shardul Thakur

India pacer Shardul Thakur is all set to make his ninth appearance in Test cricket during the 2023 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. The much-awaited one-off Test between the top two sides will be played at The Oval in London from June 7.

Ahead of the marquee event, Thakur stated that the WTC final is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him and that no one will ever get to play them everywhere every year. The 31-year-old, who made his Test debut in 2018 against the West Indies, has so far taken 27 wickets and scored 254 runs.

“I feel that ICC event finals especially, you don’t get to play them everywhere each and every year, so it’s, for a few players or somebody like me, a once-in-a-lifetime moment,” Thakur told ICC.

He went on to say that he is determined to make every opportunity count while playing for India. He also said that he feels special and honoured to represent his country in the final of an ICC event.

“All that I want is to make it count. It’s always a special moment when you’re representing your country – especially India, when there’s a billion people out there who dream of playing for the nation and only the best 15 have been chosen to represent the country. Especially being involved in this Final, from 7 June onwards in England for the World Test Championship, it feels really special, I’m honoured," Thakur added.

Always good to take motivation from what you’ve done in the past: Shardul Thakur

It was at the Oval in 2021 when Thakur struck a 36-ball 57 against England. His 50 off 31 was the fastest-recorded half-century in Test matches in England and the second-fastest for India.

Recalling his record-breaking performance, Thakur said that it is always good to remember previous performances but that each game is a new beginning. The Maharashtra-born cricketer added that it is different opponents this time around, but it’s always good to take motivation from what you’ve done in the past on a specific ground. 

"It’s always good to remember your previous performances on a particular ground, but every game is a fresh start. It’s different opponents this time around, but yeah it’s always good to take motivation from what you’ve done in the past on a particular ground," the 31-year-old added.