“I was also in the same boat”: Indian cricketer opens up on Kuldeep Yadav and Abhimanyu Easwaran being benched during England series

Shardul Thakur discussed the challenges faced by players who spend the entire tour on the sidelines. The 33-year-old’s most recent appearance was during the five-match Test series in England, which ended in a 2-2 draw. India won the series finale at The Oval by a nail-biting six-run margin.

Uncapped Abhimanyu Easwaran and left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav were among the players who didn’t feature in the playing XI during the series. In an interview with RevSportz, Shardul was asked for his perspective on these two players.

“There have been times when I was also in the same boat, sitting out and not getting enough opportunities to showcase my skills. As a player, it’s emotionally challenging, and sitting on the bench isn’t easy. At times, you feel frustrated and start asking yourself, ‘What am I doing here? I’m not getting a chance to play?’ But ultimately, there are two key points to remember. First, not everyone gets the privilege of being part of the Indian team, and I think we can all agree on that. Secondly, the competition is incredibly intense in India. There are so many talented players, and only 11 can make it to the playing XI.”

Shardul Thakur spoke about the emotional challenge of being left out of the playing XI, stressing that team selection is based on match conditions. Despite the frustration, he acknowledged the privilege of being part of the squad and sharing experiences with top players.

“When you’re sitting out, it’s important to understand that the management has chosen the best XI for the conditions on that particular day. This is the best XI we could put out for the day, and I’m simply not part of it. However, I consider myself fortunate to be part of the squad, touring places like England or Australia, or even playing in India. Just being in the team, sharing the dressing room and meals with the other players, is an experience in itself.”