“A place open at No. 8” - Shardul Thakur eyes a spot in the Indian ODI team ahead of World Cup

Shardul Thakur has his sights firmly set on the No. 8 bowling all-rounder spot in the Indian ODI squad for the 2027 ICC World Cup in South Africa. The Mumbai skipper shares his plan for a white-ball comeback through consistent domestic performances.

29 Oct 2025 11:51 IST

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Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur is eyeing a spot in the Indian ODI team ahead of the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2027, scheduled to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

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Speaking to the media after drawing the Ranji Trophy game against Chhattisgarh, Thakur asserted that he would be aiming to get into the national team as a bowling all-rounder at No. 8 in the mega event.

“What is important for me is to keep playing matches and performing. To get back into the Indian team, I also need to keep having those good, match-winning performances, which is eventually going to help in the selection,” Shardul Thakur told the media after the game.

“And, yes, the ODI World Cup is also in South Africa so there might be a place open for a bowling all-rounder at No. 8. I am, of course, eyeing that spot,” he added.

Notably, Thakur played 47 ODIs, 25 T20Is and 13 Tests in the Indian colours. However, his last appearance in white-ball team came way back in the ICC ODI World Cup match against Bangladesh in Pune.

“Whenever the Indian team needs me or whenever I am selected, I am ready to play international cricket. My preparation is such that if tomorrow I am asked to play international cricket, I am ready,” he stated.

Furthermore, the Mumbai skipper Shardul Thakur has confirmed Yashasvi Jaiswal’s participation in the third round of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season against Rajasthan in an away game in Jaipur.

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“He’s fairly experienced in international cricket and domestic cricket as well. He has never disappointed to entertain us, to perform. He’s put up big scores. We’ve seen in both the places, domestically and internationally,” Thakur noted.

“When he’s set, he makes sure he scores a big hundred and that’s a big positive. There are expectations from everyone. Even when he comes, he’s expected to perform for the team,” he concluded.

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