Shardul Thakur backs pacers to aid Mumbai’s domestic resurgence

As Mumbai embarks on another domestic season under the mantra of ‘Focus’, Ranji Trophy captain Shardul Thakur believes strengthening the pace-bowling department will be central to restoring the team’s supremacy.

Launching its pre-season preparations on Tuesday, the Mumbai Cricket Association unveiled ‘Focus’ as the slogan for a campaign in which the 42-time Ranji Trophy champion will seek to add only its second title in the last decade.

Thakur acknowledged that while Mumbai has rarely lacked batting or bowling quality, the pipeline of fast bowlers needs deliberate attention.

“We are looking forward to bringing in a lot of young fast bowlers,” Thakur said. “But they also need to respond with performances. In club and A-Division cricket, they need to pick a lot of five-wicket hauls.”

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Recalling his own rise through Mumbai cricket, Thakur said he forced his way into contention by consistently outperforming an attack comprising the likes of Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan and Dhawal Kulkarni.

More importantly, he said, aspiring pacers must prepare for the physical demands of red-ball cricket.

“One season (2014-15) I bowled more than 340 overs (343.3) in the Ranji Trophy. During the off-season, I prepared with the mindset that I should be able to bowl 40 overs in a match. Fast bowlers need to ask themselves that question.”

The 34-year-old also reiterated that returning to the Indian team remains a driving force.

“The bar is set at 100 per cent that I want to make a comeback. Hope is a very strong word. Till hope is alive, everything is possible,” he said.

Reflecting on his last Test appearances in England last year, Thakur felt he could have contributed more had he been used differently. “I was under-bowled and bowled in the wrong phases. There was some calculation error,” he said, while adding that such discussions rarely happen with the captain or coach during a match.

Thakur also endorsed the MCA’s season-long theme, insisting that an off-season begins as much in the mind as on the training ground. “When you start the season with a strong message, there is always a purpose to practise. If you are mentally switched on, you are looking forward to improving your fitness, sharpening your skills and learning something new,” he said.

Published on Jul 01, 2026