India's pace-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur, 34, is keen to excel in the upcoming domestic season to impress national selectors ahead of India’s away Test series against New Zealand in November. Thakur, who has 33 scalps in 13 Tests so far, played his last Test against England, scoring 41 at Manchester in July 2025.
      
“As long as I play cricket, my goal will always be to play for India. I’m not in the Indian team currently, but I’m definitely preparing to make a comeback. I have no other option but to perform. Given my experience, if I perform well, I feel the selectors or the team management will consider me. I don’t need to prove that I can play international cricket well, that’s already been done. So, now it’s just about how well I perform and how many matches I can help my team win,” Thakur told mid-day during an exclusive chat at his residence in Powai recently.

India pacer Shardul Thakur. Pic/AFP