Navjot Singh Sidhu, the former Indian cricket player, disagreed with the choice to include Shardul Thakur in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford. Shardul was selected as an all-rounder following Nitish Kumar Reddy’s injury.
Sidhu described him as a ‘bits and pieces cricketer,’ arguing that such selections would not help India win matches overseas. In his YouTube analysis, Sidhu mentioned he would have favored the choice if Shardul played mainly as a bowler, but including him as an all-rounder might weaken the bowling attack.
Sidhu stated that even if Shardul scored a fifty from the number eight position, bits-and-pieces cricketers do well in one-day cricket, but in Test cricket, you always need specialists.”
Sidhu repeated his point that the team management must be clear about their expectations for a player like Shardul and avoid trying to strengthen the batting in such a manner.
Sidhu said that he doesn’t think will win any games abroad with bits-and-pieces cricketers. What is the purpose here? Do you want the guy at number eight to give you five wickets or batting depth? I feel this is a compromise, and I feel it will not go in favor of India,” Sidhu added.