Shardul Thakur can solve India’s problem of finding a dependable all-rounder after Kapil Dev: Harbhajan Singh

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh feels that all-rounder Shardul Thakur must be made India’s permanent No. 8, after his brilliant exploits in The Oval Test against England recently. Thakur scored two consecutive half-centuries, which proved crucial in the context of the game, while he also played a role with the ball, bagging three wickets across two innings to deliver a perfect all-round performance.

“I would like to see him batting at No 8 and scoring runs consistently for Team India, especially in countries like Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa, where you can’t play two spinners and someone needs to bowl too as your main fast bowler and bat also as your No 5 to 7 batsmen. Shardul is pretty capable of doing that at No 8, where he can score runs and win games for the team,” Harbhajan Singh was quoted as saying by Times of India.

Harbhajan further stated that Shardul Thakur can be the answer to India’s seam-bowling all-rounder question, as Hardik Pandya, the potential option in that slot, has been out of action due to his back injury. Harbhajan, who has spent time with Thakur in the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, said that the all-rounder has been a promising player for his Ranji and IPL teams as well.

Shardul Thakur is a dependable player: Harbhajan Singh

“If he continues to work on his batting and continues to put the hard yards in his bowling, he can solve India’s problem of finding a dependable all-rounder after Kapil Dev. It’s so good to see the way he batted, and it will build his confidence going forward,” he stated.

“He has done well for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy for many years. He’s been a dependable player for them. It’s the right time for him to take his game to the next level, and he’s done exactly that. I don’t think CSK or any other IPL franchise has done wonders to his game. He’s matured with age and time. He’s always been a very good bowler,” he added.

India, who currently lead the five-match series 2-1, will lock horns with England in the final Test, scheduled at Old Trafford in Manchester from September 10.