IND vs ENG: 'Give him that freedom', Ajinkya Rahane urges Shubman Gill to use all-rounder more effectively in second Test
File photo of Ajinkya Rahane.
Former India player
Ajinkya Rahane
has urged captain
Shubman Gill
to give more bowling opportunities to all-rounder
Shardul Thakur
, following India's 5-wicket loss to England in the opening Test at Headingley, Leeds. Thakur's performance was notably poor, scoring only five runs across two innings and claiming just two wickets in his limited 16 overs of bowling during the match.
Rahane emphasised the crucial role of an all-rounder in the team through his YouTube channel, specifically addressing Thakur's underutilisation in the recent Test match.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
"I feel an all-rounder's role is very important. Shardul Thakur has been an experienced player and has done well in Test cricket overseas. I want to see more overs from Shardul. If the Indian team can use Shardul Thakur in a better way, that will be really great.
Whatever I have seen with him, he can swing the ball both ways and is a wicket-taker. If Shardul can bowl the first change or even given the new ball he can swing it both ways," Rahane said.
Rahane suggested specific bowling strategy changes to maximise Thakur's effectiveness on the field.
"With the Dukes ball, it generally starts to behave after 10 or 12 overs. If Shardul can start the bowling with Bumrah and Siraj can come in as one change, that will be great.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Cuối cùng, chơi miễn phí game chiến thuật hay nhất 2025!
Sea of Conquest
Phát ngay
Undo
I would like to see Shardul bowling more overs. Give him that freedom, he will get you more wickets," he added.
If Shardul can start the bowling with Bumrah and Siraj can come in as one change, that will be great
Ajinkya Rahane
While commending Bumrah's performance, Rahane also highlighted the need for better support from other bowlers. "Bumrah's five wicket-haul in the first innings was amazing. Apart from his five wickets what I liked about Bumrah was his intent. The way he was running in his run-up. His intensity throughout his bowling was amazing.
The lines and lengths that he bowled. He was aggressive throughout in his bowling approach," Rahane stated.
IND vs ENG: What UK papers are saying about India's loss
"What I would like to see is support from the other end. Bumrah is obviously bowling his attacking lengths but if he can support from Siraj and Prasidh, that will be great for him. You don't want Bumrah to go under pressure and start bowling too many overs and the pressure comes on the team. I want to see Siraj taking that responsibility and also Prasidh if he plays that second Test match," he concluded.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
7 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Indian sports wrap, June 28: Diksha, Vani in top 10 at Amundi German Masters
GOLF Diksha, Vani tied-eighth Diksha Dagar and Vani Kapoor had a contrasting day two at the Amundi German Masters to be placed tied eighth as three out of the nine Indians made the cut at the Green Eagle Golf Course. Diksha played an even par round to slip from the top five while Vani played 3-under 70 to move into the top 10. The only other Indian to make the cut was Avani Prashanth who played a round of 1-over 74 to end the day at tied 43. She made two birdies, one bogey and one double bogey. Tvesa Malik (74-76) missed the cut by one shot as the cut fell at 3-over, while other Indians missing out were Sneha Singh (78-75), Amandeep Drall (78-75), Hitaashee Bakshi (79-81), and Vidhatri Urs (93-87) while Neha Tripathi retired after the first round. - PTI ESPORTS ESFI Launches National Championship to Select India's U18 Esports Squad for Asian Youth Games The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) has unveiled the National Esports Championship (NESC) 2025 to select the country's first-ever official under-18 esports squad—featuring equal representation of boys and girls—for the 3rd Asian Youth Games, scheduled to be held in Bahrain from October 22 to 31, 2025. India will field participants across six events—three each for boys and girls—in Rocket League (3v3), Street Fighter 6 (1v1), and eFootball (1v1). Matches will be held on PC and PlayStation. Only athletes born between 2007 and 2010 are eligible to register. 'It is the first time we are fielding an official U18 esports squad, making this a landmark moment for grassroots esports development in India. With equal participation for girls and boys, the championship reflects our commitment to building an inclusive and future-forward ecosystem,' said Vinod Tiwari, President, Esports Federation of India (ESFI) Registrations for NESC 2025 are open from June 28 to July 12. Winners of each title, along with the top two finishers in Street Fighter 6 and eFootball, will go on to represent India on the continental stage.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
11 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India to host world police and fire games for 1st time in 2029: Amit Shah
For the first time, India will host the prestigious 2029 World Police and Fire Games, which Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed as a moment of great pride for every citizen. Ahmedabad has been selected as the venue of the event. The world police and fire games are organised once every two years since 1985. The Indian police contingent first participated in these games in Adelaide world police and fire games in 2007, an official release said. Since its participation in 2007, Indian police contingent has won over 1,400 medals in eight editions of the games. So far, 20 editions of the games have been held since its inception of which the United States hosted eight times, Canada hosted five times, Europe four times, UK two times and China once. These games are open to serving and retired personnel from police, fire medical, emergency, disaster services and first responders etc, the release said. The last (20th edition) world police and fire games were held in Winnipeg, Canada during July 26-August 6, 2023, where 133 of Indian police sportspersons won a record 343 medals -- 224 gold, 82 silver and 37 bronze. The Indian contingent for the world police and fire games is selected on the basis of performance of the players during the annual All India Police Games held during that year. The All India Police Sports Control Board, the governing body for organising Police sports in the country which has 53 member organisations from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), State Police Forces and other security agencies conducts 40 annual police games every year. Gold medal winners in different sports during the All India Police Games that year are shortlisted for the Indian team for the world police and fire games. Expressing happiness over India being designated as the host country for the prestigious world police and fire games, Shah termed it as a moment of great pride for every citizen. The home minister also said Ahmedabad is being selected as the venue of the event that brings together police, fire, and disaster services to compete in more than 50 sports disciplines is a testament to the city's rising stature as a sporting destination. "It is a moment of great pride for every citizen, as Bharat has been designated as the host country for the prestigious 2029 World Police and Fire Games. Bharat winning the prestigious bid to host the event is a global recognition of our sprawling sports infrastructure built under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi Ji," Shah wrote on 'X'.
NDTV
19 minutes ago
- NDTV
"Sarfaraz Khan Has Not...": Shreyas Iyer's Test Comeback Hopes Vanquished, Brutal Reality Check Given
Former India cricketer and reputed pundit Aakash Chopra has ruled out the possibility of Shreyas Iyer being considered for India's Test team anytime soon. Shreyas has made himself an automatic selection for Team India in ODI cricket, and was even their highest run-scorer during the victorious Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. The 30-year-old also enjoyed a good domestic season and IPL 2025. However, Chopra stated that his turn has not yet come in red-ball cricket. In fact, Chopra stated that there are several other batters, such as Sarfaraz Khan, waiting-in-line ahead of Shreyas when it comes to Test selection. "There aren't many issues with the Indian batting, as it is. Besides, Shreyas Iyer won't get a chance now. Many others haven't gotten a chance either," Chopra stated, speaking on his YouTube channel. "If you think about it, Karun Nair has only just gotten his chance. Sarfaraz Khan hasn't been given a shot. Dhruv Jurel is waiting on the sidelines. If he cannot even get among those who are in the waiting line, then how can he be considered for selection?" Chopra said. Chopra further said that Shreyas will have to wait for his turn in Test cricket. "I know he had a good first-class season. He had a good IPL, taking Punjab Kings to the final. He did well in white-ball cricket, but his time will come in Tests. He will have to wait just a little bit," Chopra added. Shreyas enjoyed a superlative cricket season ahead of India's tour of England. Iyer made 480 runs in just seven innings in Ranji Trophy 2024/25, at an average of 68.57 and an impressive strike rate of over 90. In IPL 2025, Shreyas went one step better, justifying his RS 26.75 crore price tag and leading Punjab Kings to the final. He enjoyed his best IPL season with the bat, slamming 604 runs in 17 matches. However, the likes of Sarfaraz Khan have not managed to make it to the Test squad despite performing well in limited opportunities. In just six Tests, Sarfaraz has three half-centuries and a best score of 150. Sarfaraz has also impressed playing for India A in England. He slammed a knock of 92 for India A against England Lions in the first practice match, before going on to smash a century in Team India's intra-squad match, where pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was also in the bowling attack.
