Team India's seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur made a strong case for his selection in India's 2023 ODI World Cup squad. The star bowler was the most successful bowler in the recently concluded India vs West Indies three-match One-Day-International series, picking up eight wickets from three matches with a best bowling figures of 4/37 in the series decider (IND vs WI 3rd ODI) on Tuesday. The 2023 edition of ICC Men's ODI World Cup is slated to be hosted by India in India from October 5 to November 19, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is looking to give opportunities to players to cement their places ahead of the showpiece. However, Shardul looks to keep "contributing" instead of focusing on sealing his place.
"I am happy to have picked up eight wickets in this series. As a cricketer we wait for this opportunity for years, sometimes you perform, sometimes not.
"Whichever series I play that always boost my confidence because I am only adding experience to my career," Shardul said after the match, PTI reported.
"I never think that I have to play to seal my spot because I can't play with that mentality and I am not that type of player.
"If I am not picked in the World Cup squad it's their call, I cannot do much about it. I always try to perform for the team and play according to the situation of a match." Shardul, a right-arm seamer who bats lower down the order, feels he has a role to play and that is why he has been a regular in the ODI squad in the last two years.
"I think I didn't play one one-day series, I mean I was not part of the team in the series against Sri Lanka at home. I don't know why I wasn't picked then but I have been part of all other ODI series in the last 2 years.
"I think the team expects something from me so I have been kept in the team. Whenever I get a chance to play, I feel the team has confidence in me so they gave me the chance to play," he said.
"If you look in the last few years we tend to play with a deep batting line-up, so as an all-rounder who bats lower down the order, my job also becomes important. That role is very crucial.
"Whenever I get an opportunity I try to contribute to the team's success whether it's with bat, ball or in fielding. At the end of the day I should be happy that I have made an effort, my performances should be impactful whichever department it is," he added.
Shardul believes that every game from here is important for India ahead of the World Cup.
"With World Cup coming up every game that you play is going to be important from the team's perspective. In batting, bowling and fielding departments, you are going to judge yourself, you are going to score some marks for yourself.
"Also the team management will be looking at you, there will be few players who will be looking at selection as well. For us individually also all games that we play before the World Cup are important," he said.