India’s Test tour of England began on a disappointing note with a five-wicket loss in the opening match at Headingley, Leeds. Despite a strong showing with the bat, the visitors were let down by questionable bowling strategies and lapses in the field. A major talking point was the delayed introduction of Shardul Thakur into the attack—a decision that drew criticism, notably from former all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin.
After posting a commanding 471 in their first innings, India seemed to have the upper hand. But consistent lower-order failures and a lackluster bowling effort allowed England to seize control. Captain Shubman Gill’s choice to bring Thakur into the attack only in the 40th over of England’s first innings, when their batters, including Joe Root, were already well-set, raised several eyebrows.
“You have taken Shardul Thakur in the team and didn’t give him a ball in the first 40 overs. And Joe Root was batting. And Shardul has a very decent match-up against Joe Root. So, if Shardul Thakur’s role is not less, then I genuinely rate Shardul as a cricketer. He has caught Ben Duckett and Harry Brook. He can make things happen. But he has to use them at the right time. But if this is going to be the way he is going to be used, I don’t think he is really making any sense. Because he has to be given the ball for him to make a difference. He didn’t bowl that much in the first 40 overs,” Ashwin analyzed on his YouTube channel.
In the second innings, Thakur was given the ball slightly earlier, in the 19th over, and claimed two wickets in his 10-over spell. However, many felt those dismissals were more fortunate than tactical. Ashwin highlighted the broader issue of India failing to make full use of a proven wicket-taker in key moments.
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“He didn’t bowl that much in the second innings either. Obviously, much more than the first innings. So, his role was very limited and I think it is very unfair to raise an argument on what he did,” Ashwin added.
