New Delhi: Former India wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik mocked Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir because they did not use Shardul Thakur enough in the first Test against England. Shardul too made minimal difference as picked as an all-rounder he struggled with the bat and ended up being pricey with the ball conceding 38 runs in six wicket-less overs. Karthik raised doubts over decision making that there is not point in picking Shardul when the team is not confident about his bowling abilities. The Shardul Thakur decision that Team Indias management needs to look at - If they are not going to trust his bowling why are they playing him? That is definitely an issue. If you are not going to trust a bowler why have you played him? I understand when you play four fast bowlers you are not going to give equal opportunity for Shardul Karthik said on Cricbuzz. When he did bowl he did not bowl very nicely but to give six overs when you have bowled so much is not a great picture. I feel bad for Shardul but I can understand what a Shubman is thinking. He is able to create more pressure on England when the other bowlers are bowling. he added. Aakash Chopra the former India batter shared these sentiments in his YouTube analysis adding that although Shardul Thakur was included in the playing X1 the team did not seem to trust him that much. Chopra said that it is confusing to bring a player in without their full support by the team in the way the organization is looking at things. I am thinking about Shardul Thakurs utilisation. They have selected him but havent shown faith in him. Of course he bowled a few overs and was very expensive but then you didnt bowl him at all for long spells. All bowlers bowled 20-plus overs but Shardul Thakur was in single digits Chopra said. The second new ball came the first new ball came and went the ball became old as well but either it is underutilization of resources or the second thing could be that you dont have faith in him and that is a bigger concern. Why did you play him if you dont have faith in him? he added.
