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3 fast bowlers who can replace Shardul Thakur in India’s 2023 World Cup squad
Shardul Thakur’s recent performance in the first ODI against Australia has left Indian cricket fans pondering whether he deserves a spot in the ODI squad. During India’s five-wicket victory at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium, Thakur had a forgettable outing, going wicketless and conceding 78 runs in his ten overs, at an economy rate of 7.8.
While the rest of the Indian bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami’s career-best 5/51, impressed on Friday, Thakur’s expensive spell has cast a shadow on his position in the team. His elevated economy rate of 6.22 in ODIs, now the worst among bowlers with more than 300 overs bowled in ODI history, has further exacerbated concerns.
With the ODI World Cup on the horizon and the option to make squad changes until September 28, Team India might contemplate replacing Thakur if his struggles persist. Here, we explore three pacers who could potentially fill his spot:
#3 Umran Malik
Umran Malik, known for his genuine pace, gained prominence during IPL 2022 with 22 wickets from 14 games. Although his initial foray into the Indian team was less successful, the 23-year-old remains a promising prospect for India’s pace attack, with the ability to consistently touch speeds exceeding 150 kmph.
#2 Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm pacer, has risen through the ranks thanks to the IPL. The 24-year-old showcased his skills in T20Is, claiming 50 wickets in 33 appearances at an average of 18.98. While he is yet to make his mark in ODIs, his left-arm angle could provide the variation the Indian team needs.
#1 Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna, a lanky pacer from Karnataka, has already been a part of the Indian squad and offers a reliable backup option for the ODI World Cup. Known for generating seam movement and bounce, Krishna’s recent inclusion in the squad for the ODIs against Australia suggests he could be a replacement for Thakur.
As India evaluates its pace options ahead of the World Cup, the performance of these talented pacers could determine Shardul Thakur’s fate in the ODI team.
