"Shardul can start the bowling with Siraj" - former India captain's huge claim after ENG vs IND 2025 1st Test

When fans and critics marked Shardul Thakur as one of the possible reasons behind India's loss in the first innings against England, Ajinkya Rahane, the former skipper, showed lots of trust in the all-rounder. The experienced batter discussed the outcomes from the Headingley Test in his YouTube episode.

Captain Shubman Gill utilized Shardul in very limited overs. Here, Rahane wants some updates. Showing faith in Shardul, Rahane described him as the wicket-taking bowler who can swing the ball in both ways and has the ability to deliver the new Duke ball as well. So, Rahane would like to see Thakur pairing up with Mohammed Siraj or Jasprit Bumrah.

"I feel an all-rounder's role is very important. Shardul Thakur has been an experienced player and has done well in Test cricket overseas. I want to see more overs from Shardul. If the Indian team can use Shardul Thakur in a better way, that will be great. Whatever I have seen with him, he can swing the ball both ways and is a wicket-taker. If Shardul can bowl the first change or even be given the new ball, he can swing it both ways," he said.

Read More: Jasprit Bumrah to miss ENG vs IND 2nd Test? Gautam Gambhir answers

Rahane urged Krishna and Siraj to provide the necessary support for Bumrah 

The top-order batter advised Team India to forget about the past result and keep focused on the upcoming assignments. India's next match against England will be at Edgbaston. Along with this advice, Ajinkya would like to see team India bowlers with more consistency and proper support for Jasprit Bumrah. 

"What I would like to see is support from the other end. Bumrah is obviously bowling his attacking lengths, but if he can get support from Siraj and Prasidh, that will be great for him... India would like to forget about this test and move forward, though I feel there were a lot of positives. We batted well. Five hundred. We bowled well in patches, but the bowling unit would like to be consistent and try and help each other," he opined in the same video.