IPL 2023: Why is Shardul Thakur not bowling for KKR? All-rounder explains reason ahead of WTC final

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IPL 2023: Shardul Thakur has opened up on the reason he is not bowling for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2023, saying that the team is full of all-rounders and even the captain Nitish Rana also bowls a couple of overs these days.

Shardul, who has been picked in the 15-member squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, also added that he has a small niggle issue but has now regained bowling fitness and would look to deliver in case the team needs his service.

“We have a side full of all-rounders with (Andre) Russell, Sunil (Nairne)... We have got maximum of eight bowling options that also includes Nitish (Rana) who also bowls an over or two nowadays,” Thakur told news agency 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 teams’ strategy 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 further added.

The 31-year-old is the only fast-bowling all-rounder in the WTC squad and there are high chances that he would be included in the Test playing eleven for the first time since July 2022. He said that being an all-rounder in modern day cricket was not an easy job.

“It is difficult and not easy. It’s difficult in the sense of body-wise because when you go in for practice, you literally have to do everything -- fielding practice, bowling and batting. On top of that, you have to do a bit of running around to stay fit," Shardul Thakur said.

“Overall, it’s not easy but yeah that’s the challenge in modern day’s cricket that you have to manage your body to stay fit and keep going,” Shardul concluded.

KKR are currently placed sixth in the IPL 2023 points table and will be next seen playing against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Thursday, May 10.