Don't think I was utilised properly in England: Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur feels he was under-utilised during India's Test tour of England last year and is ready to give his best for the country if an opportunity came his way again.

The Mumbai captain remarked, "I 100 per cent desire to play for India again. As long as hope is alive, everything is possible."

Thakur (34) has played 13 Tests, 47 ODIs and 25 T20Is for India, with his last international appearance coming during India's five-Test tour of England about 12 months ago.

He featured in the first Test in Leeds and the fourth Test at Old Trafford, producing a mixed bag of performances. India lost at Leeds and drew at Old Trafford, with the series ending in a 2-2 draw.

With bat, he scored 1, 4, 41 and DNB. With the ball, he had a couple of breakthroughs at Leeds and went wicketless in Manchester. Thakur bowled only 27 overs across the two Tests.

Looking back, he felt he could have contributed more. "When I played in England, I don't think I was utilised properly. In batting, I played a loose shot in Leeds. But in Manchester, I batted beautifully — it was overcast, the ball was swinging. I survived that spell and India put up a strong total. Then the pitch became flat and we saved the game.

"So it's not that I didn't contribute. But I think I deserved a few more opportunities. It was more about being under-bowled and used in the wrong phases. There were some calculation errors," he said. "Hope is still alive. If they ever ask me to play for India again, I'll be ready."

'Ranji Trophy is World Cup for us'

Thakur was speaking at the Mumbai Cricket Association event launching the new domestic season. MCA president Ajinkya Naik said, "For us, the Ranji Trophy is the World Cup. The main purpose is twofold: to win the championships, and to produce the maximum number of India players from Mumbai."

Mumbai have won the Ranji Trophy a record 42 times.