Shardul eyes No. 8 slot for Team India with 2027 World Cup in mind

Mumbai skipper Shardul Thakur during the Ranji Trophy match vs Chhattisgarh. Pic/Atul Kamble

India bowling all-rounder and Mumbai skipper Shardul Thakur, 34, who represented the country last against England in the Manchester Test in July, is eyeing a comeback to the national team keeping in mind the 2027 ODI World Cup to be played in South Africa. "The ODI World Cup is in South Africa and there might be a place open for a bowling all-rounder at No. 8. I am eyeing that spot," Thakur told reporters after the Mumbai vs Chhattisgarh Ranji Trophy match ended in a draw at the MCA-BKC ground on Tuesday.

"Whenever the Indian team needs me or whenever I'm selected, I'm ready to play. My preparation is such that if tomorrow I'm asked to play international cricket, I'm ready," added Thakur, who has claimed 131 scalps from 85 international games across all three formats. "What is important for me is to keep playing matches and continue performing. Eventually, to get back to the Indian team, I need to keep having those performances, good performances, match-winning performances, which will eventually help in my selection," the Mumbai player added.