England is one of my favourite places to play cricket: Shardul Thakur

With the highly-awaited fifth and final rescheduled Test between India and England starting tomorrow, several cricket fanatics await to see two powerhouses go up against each other. 

Players from both sides show their enthusiasm and excitement for the upcoming  Test match. One of them would be the highlighting Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur. 

Especially from the team's successful and illustrious Test-series campaign against the Aussies, Thakur has been a valuable asset for the Indian red-ball side. 

Even in hauled Test series against England, Shardul shined with his pace and scalped some crucial wickets. As his all-rounding skills suggest, thanks to his bat, he has played two knocks during the Oval Test last year as his 57 helped India post 191 runs in the first innings. 

The Indian pacer scored another pivotal knock in the second innings, contributing 60 runs to the Indian team's massive 466. Ultimately, the visitors won the game by 157 runs. In Layman, he has been a revelation for the Indian side on overseas tours since his debut. 

When asked about the upcoming tour, Shardul is exceptionally excited to bowl in the English conditions. And he believes that it is a bowler's paradise. "England is a bowler's paradise. The ball swings here, and you can get a lot of wickets in one spell. So yeah, England is one of my favourite places to play cricket," Shardul said in a recent video posted by bcci.tv.

When we comprehend the Indian red-ball pace department, it consists of the likes of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj. 

Shardul believes that everyone are good with their pace and form. However, the all-rounder stated that it might be tough to seal a spot in the playing XI.

"The pace attack that we have, everyone is doing well, including Shami, Bumrah and Umesh whenever he gets a game. Sometimes these bowlers get 2-3 wickets in their first spell, and then I come a bit later in the game when they need rest. But I have started to like that role, and it's my duty, as I know if I deliver a performance at that stage, then it creates an impact in the match," stated Shardul. 

Shardul describes his favourite bowling moments when he breaks a substantial run-batting partnership. 

"The opportunity (to bowl) comes later when a partnership is formed. And the third and fourth bowler comes to give rest to the new ball bowlers. So at that time, there's always a chance for me to pick wickets and do something for the team."

Also, he had mentioned the funny nicknames that his teammates call him on the team and during his Ranji Trophy stint. 

"I am fine with any name (laughs). The name Bull is what they have been calling me since my Ranji Trophy days. I am fine with any nickname that my teammates give me. Lord and Beefy just got famous after my performances against England. It shows how much my teammates love me. It's good to hear, sounds good when it falls on my ears," said Shardul.

India would be up against England in the rescheduled fifth Test from July 1 at Edgbaston.