Thakur earns maiden India call-up for Zimbabwe T20I series
The 27-year-old joins Prabhsimran Singh and Ashok Sharma as newcomers in the squad, citing technical guidance from Morne Morkel and a winning mindset from Ricky Ponting as key influences.
Twenty-seven-year-old fast bowler Yash Thakur has been selected in India’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe, marking his first international call-up. Thakur received the news while landing in Nagpur, a moment he dedicated to his late father, Ravi Singh Thakur, who passed away from a cardiac arrest in 2023. Thakur described the selection as the fulfilment of his father’s dream, noting that his father had supported his career from the beginning and would have been extremely happy to see him in the national jersey.
Thakur is one of three players receiving their maiden India T20I call-ups for the tour, alongside wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh and Rajasthan pacer Ashok Sharma. The Punjab Kings pacer has established a significant record in domestic and franchise cricket, taking nearly 100 wickets in 57 List A matches since his debut in 2017. His IPL career, spanning 22 games for Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings, includes 27 wickets and a five-wicket haul.
A familiar figure in the Indian setup will be bowling coach Morne Morkel, with whom Thakur previously worked at Lucknow Super Giants. Thakur credited Morkel with shaping his technical approach and mental resilience, particularly in identifying which deliveries suit specific pitches. He noted that Morkel helped simplify the art of fast bowling, encouraging him to trust his skills and focus on taking wickets, a mindset that Thakur says is energised by high-pressure situations.
Thakur also highlighted the influence of Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting, citing a specific instance where Ponting instilled a "winning mindset" during a high-pressure chase against Delhi Capitals. Ponting’s directive to focus on winning regardless of the scoreline helped the team achieve an IPL record for the highest successful run chase in that match. Thakur stated that this attitude of always thinking about how to win the match has been a crucial lesson from the Australian legend.
The selection sees Thakur playing under India captain Shreyas Iyer once again, having already spent a season under his leadership in the IPL. Thakur praised Iyer as a "bowler’s captain" who provides complete freedom and discusses plans directly with the bowling unit. He expressed confidence in Iyer’s aggressive approach and noted that the captain’s mindset mirrors the winning mentality instilled by Ponting, ensuring the team remains focused on victory in all situations.
