Salman Butt says “It had to happen” in T20 World Cup 2021. Butt is thought the Indian selectors have taken the correct. Also, the decision by Shardul Thakur in the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2021. Butt pointed out that Thakur has performed consistently well. He has earned his place on merit. The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced their final squad for the T20 World Cup 2021. And replacing Axar Patel with Thakur and the part of the traveling reserves earlier. While Patel was in the main squad. He will now be part of the stand byes along with Shreyas Iyer and Deepak Chahar.
“It had to happen. Shardul Thakur had to be picked for the T20 World Cup. He has been claiming wickets consistently and has been contributing with the bat as well. In England too, he performed really well. He has the momentum of performances. In the IPL, Thakur and Harshal Patel picked up wickets in almost every game. But batting gives Thakur the edge when it comes to selection,” Salman Butt said.
Butt has further pointed out that India had picked too many spinners. Also, he agreed that doubts over the bowling status of Hardik Pandya played a role in Thakur’s selection.
Salman Butt
“India had picked too many spinners in the squad, as many as five. If three spinners can’t do the job, the fourth and fifth too will not be able to do anything. This is equivalent to playing eight batters. This move to bring in Thakur makes a lot of sense, especially considering the fact that there is no surety about Pandya’s bowling,” Butt added.
Lastly, before the IPL, he was inspired by the Tests in England. As well as the restricted opportunities that he got. Thakur scored significant half-centuries in both innings of The Oval Test. It is separated from claiming three big wickets.
“Test cricket, that too in England, is a lot tougher. The way he batted in England was really impressive. He can score at a good strike rate and is claiming at least two wickets with the ball in almost every game,” Butt said.