Mumbai are close to securing a spot in the semi-finals of the ongoing Ranji Trophy. In the third quarter-final at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, they led Haryana by 292 runs with six wickets in hand in their second innings at the end of day three.
At one stage, Haryana were in a strong position to take the first-innings lead. At 257/5, they trailed by just 58 runs. However, the in-form Shardul Thakur changed the game by taking all five remaining wickets, bundling Haryana out for 301. Shardul has been Mumbai’s most consistent performer in recent matches. In this game alone, he has contributed 21 runs with the bat and taken seven wickets so far.
Against Jammu and Kashmir, he scored a fifty and a hundred while also taking two wickets. Then, against Meghalaya, he registered a hat-trick and finished with eight wickets in the match, along with an 84-run knock. Given his current form, the Indian selectors might find it difficult to ignore him for the upcoming Test series in England.
After day three in Kolkata, Shardul spoke to the media about his thoughts on the England tour, missing out on India selection, going unsold in the IPL auction, and more. “Whenever you do not get picked for any team at any level, it is a disappointment,” he said. “My only focus is to give my best in any game that I am playing.
“I am in contention. It is all about the selection. Obviously, playing again for India is always at the back of my mind. Every player wants to play at the highest level, which is international cricket. So, this is always there in my mind. It works as motivation whenever I am playing.”
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Shardul Thakur Press Conference: Comeback – National Team – Ajinkya Rahane’s performance and more! #ShardulThakur #RanjiTrophy #DomesticCricket@imShard @BCCIdomestic
MUM 315 & 317/6 (78)
Day 4: 1st Session – MUM lead by 331 runs v HARFull video: https://t.co/PILO0diylZ pic.twitter.com/5ZbhM1KJZl
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His last international match was the Centurion Test against South Africa in December 2023. He was also left out of India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite playing 95 IPL matches over the years, many fans were surprised to see him go unsold in the recent auction.
Addressing these setbacks, he said: “I do not think that much about the past. What I believe is that if I keep thinking about this, it will affect my game. It happens in professional cricket, but right now, whatever is in my hand, I want to do it. I want to give my best.
“Thinking that and executing that is not easy. What I do is that I only think about the game that is coming for me. I just focus on that and hence, whenever I come to the ground, the focus remains on the match only.”
So far this Ranji Trophy season seems to have worked like a charm.
Also Read: Shardul Thakur sends reminder to selectors for England tour
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