Shardul Thakur Likely to Return to India’s Test Squad for England Tour : Report

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As the Indian men's cricket team gears up for their upcoming Test tour of England, the selectors are expected to name the squad in the coming weeks.

The high-stakes five-match series, beginning June 20 at Headingley in Leeds, will also see fixtures played in Birmingham, Lord's, Manchester, and The Oval.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, Mumbai's seasoned fast-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur is poised for a comeback to India's Test setup. The 33-year-old has been in sublime touch during the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, contributing significantly with both bat and ball for Mumbai.

In nine matches, he amassed 505 runs, including a century and four fifties, making him the second-highest run-scorer for the team. With the ball, he was equally impactful, claiming 35 wickets across the tournament.

Since his Test debut against the West Indies in 2018, Thakur has featured in 11 Tests, scoring 331 runs and taking 31 wickets. His last red-ball appearance for India came in December 2023 against South Africa in Centurion. He was overlooked for both the home series earlier this year and the crucial five-Test series against Australia, which India lost 1-3.

England has been a happy hunting ground for Thakur in the past. Out of his 11 Tests, four have been played on English soil, where he scored 173 runs, including three half-centuries, and picked up 10 wickets - numbers that bolster his case for inclusion in the squad.

If picked, Thakur is expected to compete with young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy for a spot in the playing XI. Nitish impressed during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, featuring in all five matches. However, his recent form in IPL 2025 has raised questions. In 10 games, he has scored just 173 runs and hasn't bowled a single over, which might tilt the scales in Thakur's favour.

With India preparing for one of its toughest overseas assignments, the selectors are expected to back experience and form - and Shardul Thakur may well be set for a significant Test return.