WI vs IND 2023: I’m not the kind of player who plays for his place in the team – Shardul Thakur

With so much competition within the team for the upcoming World Cup squad, Shardul Thakur denied that he is not a player who plays for his place in the team. It has been noticed that the players can play a bit selfishly if they are looking to retain their place in the team.

Thakur ended as the leading wicket-taker of the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, picking up eight wickets at an average of 11.62 and conceding his runs at an economy rate of 5.31.

Thakur said as an all-rounder, who bats in the lower order, his role for the team becomes important.

“As an all-rounder who bats in the lower order, my role also becomes important. We’ve seen, in longer chases or if you want to post a big total, you will look to accelerate and lose one or two wickets here and there. If the No. 8 and No.9 can contribute with someone who has batted deep, that role is really important,” the 31-year-old said in the post-match press conference after India registered a huge win of 200 runs.

Thakur added his aim is to contribute to the team’s success. The right-arm seamer was brilliant in the third game as he returned with impressive figures of 4-37 in 6.3 overs he bowled.

“Whenever I get an opportunity, I just try and contribute towards the team’s success. That’s my thought process – whether it’s in batting, bowling or fielding. I’m not the kind of player who plays for his place in the team. If I play with that thought, I don’t think I’ll be able to play,” Thakur added.

The all-rounder from Mumbai added his target is to create an impact on the game and play according to the match situation rather than think about his place and personal milestone.

“Even if they [team management] don’t pick me for the World Cup, it will be their call, I can’t do much. It will be wrong of me to think that I need to play for my place, that I’ll do my job and leave. I’ll have to see what the match situation is, and what the requirement of the team is whether I get personal success or not. That is one thing I keep repeating – no matter what, I’ll try to play for the team and make an impact,” Thakur went on to add.

India will now take on West Indies in the five-match T20I series.