thakur: Shardul Thakur replaces Axar Patel in India’s main team for the T20 World Cup

Fast bowler Shardul Thakur replaced Axar Patel in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup to be held in the United Arab Emirates and Oman from 17 October on Wednesday. 29-year-old Thakur impressed with his 18 wickets in the ongoing IPL for Chennai Super Kings.

“The All-India Senior Selection Committee, after discussion with team management, added Shardul Thakur to the main team. Handyman Axar Patel, who was part of the 15-member team, will now be on the reserve player list. “BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said in a statement.

With paced handyman Hardik Pandya, who plays for Mumbai Indians, who doesn’t bowling during the IPL due to fitness issues, the recruiters wanted coverage for him.

“The selectors felt they were short of a pacer and even with Hardik Pandya not playing bowling, they needed a handyman on the main team,” a source close to the selection committee told PTI.

“Axar remains on standby and if Ravindra Jadeja is injured, he will return to the main team again. As long as Jaddu does not play, Axar will not be required.”

As reported by PTI, the selectors also included Harshal Patel among the net bowlers for the Indian team.

“The following cricketers will join the team bubble in Dubai and assist Team India in their preparations: Avesh Khan, Umran Malik, Harshal Patel, Lukman Meriwala, Venkatesh Iyer, Karn Sharma, Shahbaz Ahmed and K. Gowtham”, yes reads in the press release.

India will open its campaign on October 24 against Pakistan.

The Indian team for the T20 ICC World Cup: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (goalkeeper), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul Chahar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami.

Reserve Players: Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Axar Patel.