Indeed, there was no looking back.
Fast forward to the 2020-21 tour of Australia. In dramatic turn of events in Australia, after Mohammad Shami got injured, Thakur — originally part of only the ODI squad — was added to the Test squad as Shami’s replacement for the second match that India went on to win to level the series 1-1. Thakur, however, wasn’t played in that match in Melbourne.
Thakur, 29, also wasn’t picked for the drawn third Test. But he was finally picked in the XI for the fourth Test when Jasprit Bumrah got injured.
Thakur’s 69 runs and seven wickets in the fourth Test has helped him to find a place in the India squad for the first two home Tests against England — a reward well deserved.
From travelling in crowded Mumbai local trains to playing on one of the fastest pitches with guts, Thakur has traversed a journey that many cricketers just dream about.
As of now, Thakur’s international cricketing journey comprises two Tests, 12 ODIs, and 17 T20Is, and it is a one that is…