Shardul Thakur confirms he is eyeing No.8 spot in Indian squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2027

Shardul Thakur said that he is ready to play for India whenever the team needs him.

Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur made a bold statement, saying that he is eyeing number eight spot in the Indian Cricket Team’s for ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. The pace bowling all-rounder also added that he is ready to play for the national team whenever they need him.

Shardul Thakur has been out of the Indian white-ball setup for a while. His last appearance in ODI cricket came in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 clash against Bangladesh. However, he has been in and out of the squad in the tests with his last outing being against England earlier this year, which was his last campaign for the national team.

So far, Thakur has played 47 ODIs, 25 T20Is, and 13 tests for India. He was not picked in the test series against the West Indies earlier this month, and was also overlooked for the recent ODI series against Australia.

Shardul Thakur eyeing a spot in Indian team for ICC Cricket World Cup 2027

Thakur, who is currently captaining Mumbai in Ranji Trophy 2025-26, said that he is eyeing the all-rounder’s spot in Indian Cricket Team for ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. He also added that since the ICC tournament will take place in South Africa, the team will need a pace bowling all-rounder at the No.8 position. In a conversation with PTI, Thakur said

“What is important for me is to keep playing matches and perform. To get back into the Indian team, I also need to keep having those good, match-winning performances, which is eventually going to help in the selection. And, yes, the ODI World Cup is also in South Africa so there might be a place open for a bowling all-rounder at No. 8. I am, of course, eyeing that spot,” he said.

“Whenever the Indian team needs me or whenever I am selected, I am ready to play international cricket. My preparation is such that if tomorrow I am asked to play international cricket, I am ready,” he added.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 will be played in October and November 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. India finished as runners-up in the last edition of the tournament in 2023, losing the final against Australia. They would be keen to go one step further in next edition and win the title.

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