Be it the longer version of the game or the shortest format, bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been India skipper Virat Kohli’s go-to man whenever needed across the last one year or so. The Mumbai-based fast bowler has also played a vital role in taking his Chennai Super Kings side to the final of IPL-14, claiming 18 wickets from 15 games this season.    

It’s this top form that has resulted in Thakur, 29, who was earlier picked as a stand-by for the T20 World Cup to be held in Oman and UAE from October 17, replacing left-arm spinner Axar Patel in India’s final squad of 15 on Wednesday.