Looking forward to bowl to Virat Kohli to test myself: Shardul Thakur

Thakur attends his first training session with Indian team

Shardul Thakur. (BCCI)

 

Bengaluru: Rookie Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur, the lone new face for the West Indies Test tour, on Thursday said he wants to test himself by bowling to Test skipper Virat Kohli at the nets.

Thakur, who earned the selectors' nod on the back of a terrific Ranji Trophy performance (41 wickets in the 2015-16 season), said bowling to a batsman of Kohli's calibre will help him identify his weaknesses.

"Bowling to good batsmen in the nets is always an advantage as it shows you where you stand, what you need to work on and how you can improve. So, I am looking forward to bowling to Virat Kohli in the nets and test myself," the pacer was quoted as saying by bcci.tv.

The 24-year-old, who reached the National Cricket Academy on Wednesday for the preparatory camp prior to the Caribbean tour, admitted he was nervous but also insisted that such situations bring out the best in him.

"There is always a bit of nervousness when you are new to the setup. I was nervous before landing here, but once I talked to the guys, I settled down. When we fly to St. Kitts, I might be a bit nervous but at the same time, it gets the best out of me," he said.

"It feels great. I was really excited to come here and give my best. On the first day, we did a few fitness tests and I am happy I did well," he added.

Hailing new head coach Anil Kumble, who assumed charge on the first day of the camp, the promising seamer said he is looking forward to learning a lot from the former leg-spin great.

"I must say he created an impact right in his first interaction itself. I am keen to work with him and learn a lot of things. He is a legend. He has loads of experience and it is going to be very useful to the team and me. I am looking forward to spending time with him on this tour," he said.