Shardul Thakur recently clarified that he is India's all-format player. In a conversation with ESPNcricinfo, Thakur stated that Indian captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid conveyed the same to him.
"In the first conversation between them and me, they conveyed to me that I am a three-format player for them," Shardul was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Thakur made his international debut in 2017 in an ODI against Sri Lanka. The right-arm seamer has an impressive bowling record in the shortest format, having taken 33 wickets at an average of 23.39.
Thakur has not been India's first-choice all-rounder in white-ball cricket. He proved his mettle in the absence of injured Pandya, especially in India's overseas wins.
Thakur was not considered for the Asia Cup and the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. However, he could be in the mix for the 2023 50-over World Cup scheduled in India.
Earlier this year, Thakur starred with figures worth 7/61 (first innings) against South Africa in the Johannesburg Test. Thakur became just the sixth Indian bowler to claim a fifer at the Wanderers.
Thakur recently starred in India A's seven-wicket victory over New Zealand A first ODI. He took four wickets as the Kiwis were bundled out for 167.