Vidarbha pacer Yash Thakur received calls and messages from friends notifying him of his selection for the T20I tour of Zimbabwe when he was picking up his bags at the airport. Thakur has talked candidly about the poignant moment he was called up to India for the first time.
The fast bowler, who made an impression in both domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League before being granted the opportunity, claimed that the call-up was the outcome of years of hard effort. After progressing through the Under-19 circuit, Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, IPL, and India A, Thakur said that representing India has always been his top goal.
In an interview with JioStar, the 26-year-old recalled the special occasion: “Harsh Dubey and I had just landed in Nagpur.” My phone began to buzz with messages as I was packing my bags and leaving, and I received a call from some friends. “You got selected!” they said, congratulating me.
I was unaware of it at the time, so I looked it up online and discovered that I had been chosen for the tour of Zimbabwe. The sensation was bizarre. From Under-19 cricket to the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, IPL, India A, and now the Indian squad, I’ve gradually advanced.”
“I put a lot of effort into overcoming every obstacle that each level presented. Every step of the climb brings me great joy. Everyone’s dream when they start playing cricket is to play for their nation, so I can’t fully put it into words right now. He told JioStar, “It feels like all the hard work has paid off to finally be here, wearing the India jersey.”
Bowler Shreyas Iyer is captained by Yash Thakur.
Thakur also talked about his friendship with India’s skipper, Shreyas Iyer, with whom he had previously played in the IPL. The pacer stated that their current understanding has made his transition into the national setup much easier. “Captain Shreyas Iyer knows my strengths well,” he said. Whether it’s the powerplay, the middle overs, or the death, he knows which parts of the game I perform best in. He is aware of my areas of greatest contribution to the team’s victory.
When I spent time with him and we talked about plans during the IPL, that mutual understanding grew. I consider myself really privileged to have played for Shreyas bhai in the IPL and to be captaining the Indian squad going forward. That consistency fosters a strong relationship. You feel much more confident on the pitch when your captain has faith in your skills.”
The right-arm seamer also commended Iyer’s leadership style, highlighting the captain’s composure and the assurance he instills in his bowlers by allowing them to execute their own plans. “In my view, he is extremely calm,” he said. He never loses his cool, whether we are bowling well, giving up runs, or having a bad day with the ball. Even under pressure, he maintains his composure.
He always asks the bowlers directly, “What is your plan?” What do you believe to be the best choice in this situation? He doesn’t force his opinions on others. He first listens before contributing. That has a significant impact. He fully trusts his bowlers and allows them to carry out their plans, so I would characterise him as a bowler’s captain,” he said in closing.
After getting his first call-up for India for the Zimbabwe T20I series, Thakur will now want to make the most of his chance and establish himself at the international level.
