It will be a plus point to let Shardul Thakur fill all-rounder’s spot – Childhood coach Dinesh Lad

India’s fast bowler Shardul Thakur’s childhood coach Dinesh Lad believes it will be a plus point if the national team play Shardul Thakur in the final XI in the World Test Championship final against New Zealand to fill the all-rounder’s spot. Lad feels Thakur has been in good form in the recent past and he deserves his opportunity in the WTC final against the Kiwis.

Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur was able to grab his opportunity in the historic Gabba Test match against Australia. Thakur scalped seven wickets (three in the first innings and four in the second dig) and also scored a valuable knock of 67 runs. Thus, the right-hander was able to get India out of the mud after his game-changing alliance with Washington Sundar, who scored 62 runs.

Thakur showed that he is no mug with the bat and he had taken the attack to the potent Australian bowling line-up.

On the other hand, Thakur will need to fight with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin for the all-rounder’s spot as there is no Hardik Pandya in the Test squad. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are expected to be the first choice fast bowlers whereas the fight for the third seamer could be between Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur.

“As a coach, I would want Shardul to be given preference in the WTC final based on how he has been performing of late. He can swing both the ball and bat, and it will be a plus point for India to let Shardul fill that all-rounder’s role. But again, everything depends on the team management and coaches,” Dinesh Lad said in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda.

“He will definitely get preference in the long run because India are currently lacking in all-rounders. Hardik Pandya was playing as an all-rounder but now he is not able to bowl because of injury. Teams need fast-bowling all-rounders and there is only Shardul Thakur in the queue. But in order to perform well, he needs to get a long run of matches,” Dinesh Lad explained.

Shardul Thakur will look to grab his chance if he makes the cut into the playing XI. Thakur also did a fine job in the limited over series against England as he finished as the highest wicket-taker in T20I and ODI series. The 28-year old seamer scalped eight wickets in five T20Is while he snared seven wickets in three ODIs.