SUPER-SUB: Seamer Shardul Thakur might debut in Indore, but don’t pick him in your fantasy teams

MUMBAI PACER Shardul Thakur has been named as a replacement for seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the upcoming Indore Test between India and New Zealand. 

Thakur who was also on the tour to the Caribbean a month ago didn’t feature in a single Test, and it remains to be seen if he finally gets the nod to feature in the playing 11 against the Kiwis tomorrow. 

Shardul has been a consistent contributor for his Ranji team Mumbai and has often bowled them to victory with partner Dhawal Kulkarni lately. The 24-year-old has the ability to swing the ball away from the right-handers and ended up as the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2014-15 season. 

Given the way Shardul bowls with the new ball, it will be an ideal replacement for Kumar at Indore. Also, the Indian think-tank might consider the long season ahead and could very well push the Mumbai seamer into his Test debut. Currently, almost every Indian pacer is nursing a niggle or two, and it’s imperative for the team to have a battery of pacers fit and raring to go. 

The Indian team might have already bagged the series, but knowing skipper Virat Kohli’s positive approach would be keen on a whitewash. In that case, the experienced Umesh Yadav too might get the nod ahead of Shardul. 

After playing in the opening Test, Yadav was benched in Kolkata, but the management might just stick to the hostile pacer for the final Test. Moving away from the pace department, leggie Amit Mishra too might get a chance. 

Given that the Kiwis have struggled against the spinners throughout the series, we cannot completely rule out the inclusion of Mishra into the playing 11. Come tomorrow, we will eventually find out if Shardul makes the cut, but as far as fantasy cricket goes, we wouldn’t suggest picking the Mumbai lad in your teams. 

We have already given out our fantasy XI for the test, and we feel the likes of Jeetan Patel, Matt Henry and Mohammad Shami will give you more points as compared to Shardul. Also, spinners Ashwin and Jadeja will run through the Kiwis and there will be very little on offer for the pacers. 

Finally, there is always a risk factor involved in picking a potential debutant. The danger of him not making the cut should actually stop you from taking a chance. For sure, Shardul is one for the future and may end up playing a few games against England and Australia, but for tomorrow, we omit him from our fantasy teams.