Discarded India Cricketer Confident Of Comeback: 'ODI World Cup Is Coming, I'll Be Back'

The next ODI World Cup is now less than two years away. Once next year’s T20 World Cup concludes, teams across the globe will begin fine-tuning their preparations for the one-day showpiece scheduled for the second half of 2027. With ample time still remaining, several hopefuls will look to strengthen their claims for selection.

All-rounder Shardul Thakur is among such hopefuls having last featured in an ODI for India in October 2023, during a World Cup league match against Bangladesh. Although he is regarded as an overseas specialist in Test cricket and is currently outside the T20I setup, Thakur remains determined to return to India’s ODI fold and has set his sights firmly on being part of the next World Cup campaign.

The 34-year-old is presently

captaining Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he is the team’s leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets from six matches.

“Right now, I am not in the T20I setup; that is evident. But the one-day World Cup is coming up, and the last time I played an ODI in 2023, I did well. I was part of the 2023 World Cup team… Then we played the Champions Trophy and some other series where spinners were preferred,” Thakur told Sportstar on Saturday.

“But yes, if I am bowling well and performing, I will be back in the ODI side. I have my eyes on the upcoming World Cup and the upcoming bilateral ODI series,” he added.

Thakur understands the intense competition for spots in India’s ODI squad. With Hardik Pandya established as a first-choice all-rounder and Nitish Reddy emerging as a strong contender, Thakur knows he must consistently deliver with the ball and continue improving his batting to earn a recall.

“I am batting well. I have always contributed in one way or another. It’s up to the team management to decide how best to use my abilities. Whatever opportunities I get, in any format, I aim to make winning contributions – whether in the field, with the bat, or with the ball. My focus is on producing impactful performances,” he said.

Of Thakur’s 13 Tests, only one has come at home – his debut in October 2018. Since then, he has often been typecast as an overseas specialist, regularly featuring on tours abroad.

However, Thakur points to his Ranji Trophy record as evidence that he can be effective in Indian conditions as well.

“I am taking wickets in the Ranji Trophy too, even on turning tracks. I am bowling long spells and scoring runs. Given an opportunity, I am ready to play a Test in India as well,” he said.