'He has the momentum of performances' - Salman Butt opens up on Shardul Thakur's selection into the Indian T20 WC squad

The Indian cricket team made a change to their squad for the 2021 T20 World Cup and picked Shardul Thakur instead of Axar Patel. Patel is now placed in the reserves. And now, former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt feels that Thakur should have definitely been picked for the T20 World Cup this year.

Adding that Thakur has contributed with both bat and ball, Butt felt that the right-arm pacer has the momentum of good performances with him. Butt also stated that his batting skills give Thakur an edge over the others.

“It had to happen. Shardul Thakur had to be picked for the T20 World Cup. He has been claiming wickets consistently and has been contributing with the bat as well. In England too, he performed really well.

He has the momentum of performances. In the IPL, Thakur and Harshal Patel picked up wickets in almost every game. But batting gives Thakur the edge when it comes to selection,” said Salman Butt on his YouTube channel.

Bringing in Shardul Thakur into the Indian squad makes sense: Salman Butt

Salman Butt also added that the Indian side has picked too many spinners in the squad for the T20 World Cup, and if the spinners have an off day, then Thakur can chip in, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Hardik Pandya’s bowling.

“India had picked too many spinners in the squad, as many as five. If three spinners can’t do the job, the fourth and fifth too will not be able to do anything. This is equivalent to playing eight batters. This move to bring in Thakur makes a lot of sense, especially considering the fact that there is no surety about Pandya’s bowling,” said Butt.

Salman Butt also felt that the way Thakur wielded the willow in England was also impressive. Adding that the services of an in-form player should be utilized by any team, Butt concluded by stating that Thakur’s current form is the main reason behind his selection.

“Test cricket, that too in England, is a lot tougher. The way he batted in England was really impressive. He can score at a good strike rate and is claiming at least two wickets with the ball in almost every game. The services of such an in-form player had to be utilized. His No. 1 reason for selection is his ongoing performance, then there are other add-ons,” concluded Salman Butt.