India in England: Shardul Thakur fit and available for 3rd Test, confirms vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane

India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane confirmed that Shardul Thakur is fit and available for selection but India haven’t decided on their combination for the 3rd Test against England at Headingley in Leeds. Shardul was left out of the 2nd Test after he picked up a hamstring injury in the lead up to the Lord’s encounter.

Shardul Thakur picked up 4 wickets in the first Test but bowled only 13 overs in the 2nd innings, the least by an Indian fast bowler. He was replaced by Ishant Sharma in the Lord’s Test and the senior pacer grabbed the opportunity that came his way with both hands.

Rahane confirmed all the Indian pacers are fit to take the field and they are eager to play after having had a 9-day break between the two Tests.

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“Shardul Thakur is fit and available for selection for the 3rd Test. Now, we have to look at which combination we are going with. All the fast bowlers are ready to play and they want to play as the break after the 2nd Test helped,” Rahane told the press on Monday.

“We will take a call on the Playing XI now. We are not thinking too much about the conditions and whatever Headingley has to offer. We just want to give our best, all players are in a good headspace and it is about putting our best foot forward,” Rahane added.

It remains to be seen if Shardul Thakur will find a place in the XI, considering India worked magic with their 4 pacers — Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Siraj — in the 2nd Test. India bowled England out for 121 in just 51.5 overs inside 2 sessions on the final day of the 2nd Test.

All eyes will be on the team combination as India will be tempted to play R Ashwin if the conditions give an opportunity to play 2 spinners. Ashwin, who bowled India to victory against England at home, has not featured in the first 2 Tests as India have preferred Ravindra Jadeja as their only spin-bowling all-rounder.