"Have you ever forgotten Shardul Thakur, Natarajan, and Washington Sundar?" - Sunil Joshi on India's inexperienced squad for BGT 2024-25
Sunil Joshi expects the relatively inexperienced Indian side to rise to the occasion in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He claimed that the performances of Shardul Thakur, T Natarajan, and Washington Sundar on the previous tour of Australia can never be forgotten.
India will travel to Australia for a five-match Test series, with the first game starting in Perth on November 22. The selectors recently named an 18-member Indian squad for the tour, with the potentially unavailable Mohammed Shami and veteran batters like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane not being picked.
During a discussion on the Star Sports show 'Follow the Blues,' Joshi was asked whether Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja will have to do all the heavy lifting considering their inexperience.
"Let's not forget the 2018 and 2021 series. We all know that after the first Test match, Virat (Kohli) came back, and after that things were different. Every Test match, there was a hero from the Indian team. Let's not forget that Indian players have always risen to the occasion in every Test match," he responded.
"Have you ever forgotten Shardul Thakur, T Natarajan, and Washington Sundar? In fact, if you remember, Rishabh Pant, Hanuma Vihari, and (Cheteshwar) Pujara as well. So we need character," the former India all-rounder added.
Thakur, Natarajan, and Sundar were included in India's playing XI for the final Test in Brisbane in 2021, with the latter two making their debuts. While Thakur (67) and Sundar (62) stitched together a crucial partnership in the first innings, the trio picked up 14 wickets between them in the game.
"They have the skill level to do it" - Sunil Joshi on the newcomers in the Indian squad
![Nitish Kumar Reddy is among the newcomers in India's squad. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/1962c-17301771093418-1920.jpg?w=500)
During the same discussion, Sunil Joshi acknowledged that Mohammed Shami would be missed. However, he added that the inexperienced players can deliver the goods.
"Yes, of course, we miss (Mohammed) Shami, the biggest X-factor in bowling. Yes, of course, there are three new faces in the side, which is slightly inexperienced, but they have the skill level to do it," he said.
The former India selector concluded by expressing confidence in the youngsters.
"It's going to be a test for them as well because who knew Natarajan, Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar were going to be the heroes in the previous tour. It's the same situation. Let's not rule them out, one Test at a time, but these players are hungry. They have the ability to do it and I am going to back them," Joshi observed.
Abhimanyu Easwaran (29), Harshit Rana (22), and Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) are the three players in the Indian squad who are yet to make their Test debuts. The seam-bowling department is the most inexperienced, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj being the only pacers who have played Test cricket in Australia.