After failing to meet expectations in the first Test against England, Team India fast-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur has come under fire, with many people suggesting that he be left out of the second Test. But Ajinkya Rahane, his senior teammate in the national squad, has given him late support, saying that he is a wicket-taker and advising head coach Gautam Gambhir and newly named captain Shubman Gill to stay with him.

In the Leeds Test, Shardul was not given much responsibility with the ball, as he only bowled six overs in the first innings, but he did take a few wickets and bowled ten overs in the second innings. With economy rates over 5 in both innings, though, he was pricey in both.

Ajinkya Rahane, who has captained India to a number of famous Test victories, thinks it's doubtful that the side will undergo significant changes. If Jasprit Bumrah is rested for the next game, he endorsed Arshdeep Singh as the best alternative.

"There are not many alterations that I can see. If Bumrah isn't available, I would want to see Arshdeep Singh in action. Keep using Prasidh Krishna if the wicket has bounce and not much grass. Kuldeep Yadav will be my choice over Prasidh Krishna if the weather is hot and it appears dry. And two spinners in Ravindra Jadeja. Rahane stated for his YouTube account, "If Bumrah does not play, then Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur."

"The man who can get you wickets is Shardul Thakur"

Rahane maintained that Shardul is a wicket-taking option, which he also said following the first Test when Shubman underutilized him and instructed him to make the most of his ball usage.

"Since Shardul is the man who can take wickets for you, I would want to see him play this Test. Therefore, these three and two spinners. Back Prasidh Krishna if there is a decent bounce and movement. He will be the perfect man for a seaming wicket, he continued.

But, as Shardul also struggled with the bat in Leeds and had two single-digit scores, it will be quite unlikely for him to maintain his position in the XI. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who debuted on the Australia trip last year, is anticipated to break into the XI because India is looking to improve their lower middle order, which failed in the first Test.

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