India all-rounder Shardul Thakur recently expressed his disappointment on Cricbuzz over the way he was utilised during India's previous Test tour of England, saying he deserved more opportunities with the ball and was often used in the wrong phases of the game. Reflecting on his performances, the Mumbai cricketer admitted that while he made a mistake with the bat in one innings, he felt his overall contribution was not maximised by the team management. Looking back at the series, the pace-bowling all-rounder said, “When I played in England, I don't think I was utilised properly." He accepted responsibility for one of his batting dismissals, adding, "In batting, yes, it was my mistake that I played a loose shot in Leeds." However, he believed he had shown his ability in the following Test, stating, "But in Manchester, I batted beautifully..."

The experienced campaigner maintained that he should have been trusted with a bigger role, particularly with the ball. "But yes, I think I deserved a few more opportunities," he said, before explaining, "I would say it was more about being under-bowled and being used in the wrong phases." According to the all-rounder, tactical decisions affected his impact during the series, as he added, "There were some calculation errors, I would say.” His remarks reignited discussions about India's strategy during the England tour, with several former cricketers also questioning whether the seam-bowling all-rounder was given enough responsibility. Despite the criticism, the veteran remains confident that he could have contributed more had he been utilised differently in English conditions.

Shardul Thakur rediscovers form with impactful performances across IPL and domestic cricket

Shardul Thakur has quietly rediscovered his rhythm over the past few months, delivering impactful performances across domestic cricket and the IPL while reminding selectors of his value as a genuine seam-bowling all-rounder. Representing the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026, the experienced campaigner produced several match-winning spells, including a superb 4/39 against Punjab Kings, where his knack for breaking crucial partnerships once again came to the fore. He also returned 2/41 against Rajasthan Royals, contributing with both the ball and a handy unbeaten 10 with the bat. Despite Mumbai's inconsistent campaign, the 34-year-old remained one of the side's dependable pace options. His ability to strike in the middle overs and provide late-order batting depth continued to make him a valuable asset. However, his season also sparked debate after he was introduced as an Impact Substitute against Sunrisers Hyderabad but was not given a single over despite the bowlers struggling, a tactical decision that drew criticism from fans and experts alike. 

The Mumbai all-rounder also stayed in the spotlight after openly expressing disappointment over his role during India's previous Test tour of England, saying he was "under-bowled" and used in the wrong phases of the game. Those remarks reignited discussions about his ability to influence matches when trusted with greater responsibility. Across formats, the seasoned cricketer continues to build his reputation as a player capable of delivering breakthroughs under pressure. With recent performances backing his claims, he remains firmly in contention for a return to India's plans, particularly in conditions where his swing bowling and lower-order batting can provide valuable balance.