Former Mumbai Indians (MI) wicketkeeper-batsman Aditya Tare reckons India bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur playing for MI in the next edition of the IPL is a big plus for the five-time champion team.
Thakur, 34, who represented Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) claiming 13 scalps from 10 games last season, was traded to MI for Rs 2 crore on Thursday.
“Shardul is an experienced player. He is a proven entity in the IPL. He is a Test cricketer. He has done so well in the last three-four years in the IPL and for India too. I always like it when players play for their home teams in the IPL. So, for Shardul that connection is there to play for his home city. I also experienced that when I was playing for MI,” Tare told mid-day.
“Shardul will also be very happy playing for MI. I think he is a great option for MI to have as an experienced all-rounder besides of course he being an Indian fast bowler which is always important. Shardul is very important in the IPL as a character too as he is a winner and a fighter. I am very happy for him and glad that MI have been able to get him,” he added.
Thakur, who is currently leading Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, has claimed 107 wickets in 105 IPL games and Tare believes his familiarity with MI’s home ground, the Wankhede Stadium, will come in handy for the franchise.
“Shardul has been bowling at the Wankhede Stadium for so many years now. He knows the venue too well. He knows it is difficult bowl at the Wankhede [considering] its short boundaries and the fact that it is a batting pitch that offers good bounce. But he knows his way around that given his rich experience,” Tare concluded.
West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford was also traded to MI from Gujarat Titans on Thursday.
