India all-rounder Shardul Thakur acknowledged that sitting out an entire series is never easy for any player. Shardul Thakur shared his thoughts on Kuldeep Yadav and Abhimanyu Easwaran being sidelined throughout the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.
While some former cricketers had advocated for Kuldeep as India’s frontline spinner against England, captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir opted for spin all-rounders Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja instead.
Easwaran, meanwhile, was expected to make his Test debut but remained on the bench for all matches, with Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair getting the nod. Despite Nair struggling to produce a significant innings in the first three Tests, he was still selected for the fifth Test at The Oval
“As a player, you go through a lot of emotions,” says Shardul Thakur
In a conversation with Revsportz, Shardul Thakur reflected on Kuldeep Yadav and Shreyas Iyer’s roles during India’s England tour. The 33-year-old recalled facing similar situations himself, emphasizing the emotional rollercoaster players experience when they’re out of the playing XI.
“On a few occasions, I was in the same boat—being left out and not getting enough opportunities to show my potential. It’s tough. As a player, you go through many emotions, and sitting out isn’t easy. At times, you feel bored and question, ‘What am I doing here? I’m not getting a game,’” Shardul Thakur said.
Shardul Thakur added, “But there are two things to remember. First, not everyone is privileged enough to represent India. Second, the competition is intense—there are so many talented players, and only 11 can play at a time.”
The seam all-rounder also highlighted that selection decisions often depend on pitch and weather conditions. He encouraged players to appreciate being part of the squad, sharing the dressing room with teammates.
“Sometimes, the management picks the best XI for that day’s conditions, and if you’re not part of it, you need to remind yourself it’s not personal. Still, I feel fortunate to tour countries like England or Australia and be part of the team environment, sharing meals and dressing rooms with the others,” he said.
Thakur had a disappointing Test series against England, scoring 46 runs across three innings and taking just two wickets in two matches. He was dropped from the playing XI after struggling with both bat and ball.
Looking ahead, Shardul Thakur will lead the West Zone team in the Duleep Trophy 2025-26, which begins on August 28 in Bengaluru.
