Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan is unhappy with Shardul Thakur's performance in the five-match Test series opener in the ongoing England tour. He suggested a name who is best to replace Thakur for the upcoming second Test of the series. 

In the Test series opener at Leeds, Shardul Thakur disappointed with his bowling and batting performances. Returning to Test cricket after one and a half years, Thakur only managed to pick up two wickets in the fourth innings, while scoring only one and four runs. 

Pathan feels that Thakur's comeback was disappointing, while he could have been used in a better way with the ball.  

On his YouTube channel, Pathan said, "It was definitely disappointing the way Shardul Thakur bowled. It was his first game. He was making a comeback after a long time. It's not easy, and he wasn't used as much as he should have been with the ball. He could have been introduced a little earlier. You don't see that much zip in his bowling with a very old ball."

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Shardul Thakur can't let the collapse happen: Irfan Pathan

In the Leeds Test, Indian batters were dominating in both innings, but the late batting order failed to provide any support, as the visitors lost their momentum. Thakur had to play an important role with the bat, but he literary threw his wickets in both innings. Pathan feels that Thakur's batting didn't seem confident enough, and Washington Sundar can be a good replacement for him. 

Pathan added, "There were many factors, but the most disappointing thing I found was that he cannot let the collapse happen if he is batting at No. 8. Since Shardul didn't look that comfortable while batting, the Indian team have the option of Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar. Your batting will get lengthened if you play Washington Sundar at No. 8. The collapse won't happen."

Should play Washington Sundar: Irfan Pathan

Shardul Thakur, who impressed with the bat as a tail-ender in the last domestic cricket season, has scored 336 runs in 20 Test innings with an average of 17.68, including four half-centuries. Meanwhile, the left-handed lower-order batter, Washington Sundar, who is also an effective off-spinner, has scored 468 runs in 16 innings with an average of 42.54, including four half-centuries. 

Pathan continued, "You will expect at least 15 to 20 runs from him. He should give more as he is a better batsman than Shardul. So, in my opinion, you should play Washington Sundar at No. 8. The Indian team can control the collapses to a large extent. England's bowling will keep getting better. So you will have to lengthen your batting."

On the other hand, Pathan also praised Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is a right-handed middle-order batter and right-arm medium pacer. Reddy impressed with his bat in the latest Australia tour in the 2024-25 season, where he made his Test debut and scored 298 runs in nine innings with an average of 37.25. Apart from one century, Reddy also scored three crucial 40s in that Australia tour.