Shardul Thakur reveals why he isn't bowling for KKR in IPL 2023 amid injury rumors

Shardul Thakur has done more for KKR with the bat, totaling 109 runs from 61 balls for a strike rate of 178.68

KKR all-rounder Shardul Thakur revealed why he’s not bowling in the ongoing IPL 2023 and the reason was the surfeit of allrounders in the team.

He has bowled just 14.5 overs across six bowling innings so far, picking up four wickets at an economy rate of 10.78. In the game against the Kings, KKR used seven bowlers, but Thakur was not one of them.

"We have a side full of allrounders with [Andre] Russell, Sunil [Narine]... we have got a maximum of eight bowling options that also includes Nitish [Rana], who also bowls an over or two nowadays," Thakur told PTI.

"It also depends on the situation of the game, if the captain feels the need to bowl me or not bowl me completely depends on him. As far as the team's strategy, and decision-making is concerned, I would not pay attention to it a lot. I had a small niggle, so I didn't play a few games, when I came back, I didn't bowl as I was not bowling fit. But yes, now I'm back to bowling and hopefully whenever I get the ball, I will get the job done," he added.

In the India team for the WTC final, which will be played at The Oval versus Australia starting on June 7, Thakur is one of five fast bowling possibilities. The starting lineup includes Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jaydev Unadkat, and Umesh Yadav, while Mukesh Kumar is a member of the backup group.

‘In T20s, I'm ready to bat at any position'- Shardul Thakur

In this IPL, Thakur has contributed more to KKR's cause with the bat, totaling 109 runs from 61 balls for a strike rate of 178.68, those numbers boosted by the 29-ball 68 he scored early in the tournament against Royal Challengers Bangalore at home at Eden Gardens.

"I always try to contribute with the bat whenever I get an opportunity. Obviously, I succeed and fail on fewer occasions. But that's completely part and parcel of the game.

There is no preferred [batting] number, whenever the team asks me to bat, I'm ready to do it. In fact, in a game like T20, I'm ready to bat at any position.

Overall, I'm enjoying my time at KKR. We come up with different ideas and strategies against the team, against individual batters. But it all depends how bowlers are executing their skills in the middle," he concluded.