“Have you ever forgotten Shardul Thakur, Natarajan, and Washington Sundar?” – Sunil Joshi backs India’s inexperienced squad to shine in BGT 2024-25

Former Indian left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi has put his weight behind India’s inexperienced squad to deliver the goods in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar trophy 2024-25. Joshi recalled how the likes of Shardul Thakur, Natarajan, and Washington Sundar shined in the previous Test series against Australia.

Thakur scored a fine knock of 67 runs in the historic Brisbane Test and added 123 runs with Washington Sundar, who scored 62 runs, for the seventh wicket. The right-arm seamer also picked seven wickets in that Test. Furthermore, T Natarajan bagged three wickets in the first innings against the hosts while making his Test debut whereas Sundar picked four scalps.

Thus, India was able to bag the series by 2-1 after winning the final Test by three wickets. 

Meanwhile, Indian selectors have picked young players like Abhimanyu Easwaran, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Prasidh Krishna for the upcoming Australia tour.

“Let’s not forget the 2018 and 2021 series. We all know that after the first Test match, Virat (Kohli) came back, and after that things were different. Every Test match, there was a hero from the Indian team. Let’s not forget that Indian players have always risen to the occasion in every Test match,” Sunil Joshi said on Star Sports show Follow the Blues.

“Have you ever forgotten Shardul Thakur, T Natarajan, and Washington Sundar? In fact, if you remember, Rishabh Pant, Hanuma Vihari, and (Cheteshwar) Pujara as well. So we need character,” the former India all-rounder added.

Joshi admitted that India will miss the services of their veteran seamer Mohammed Shami. However, he backed the youngsters to grab their opportunity on Australia tour.

“Yes, of course, we miss (Mohammed) Shami, the biggest X-factor in bowling. Yes, of course, there are three new faces in the side, which is slightly inexperienced, but they have the skill level to do it,” he said.

“It’s going to be a test for them as well because who knew Natarajan, Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar were going to be the heroes in the previous tour. It’s the same situation. Let’s not rule them out, one Test at a time, but these players are hungry. They have the ability to do it and I am going to back them,” Joshi observed.

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.