India, July 2 -- Team India fast-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been facing scrutiny after failing to live up to expectations in the first Test against England, as many have called for dropping him from the second Test. However, he has received late support from his domestic team senior teammate Ajinkya Rahane, who rated him as a wicket-taker and urged head coach Gautam Gambhir and newly-appointed skipper Shubman Gill to stick with him.

Shardul was not trusted much with the ball in the Leeds Test as he got to bowl just six overs in the first innings, while in the second essay he bowled 10 overs and claimed a couple of wickets. However, he was expensive in both innings with an economy rate over 5 on both occasions.

Ajinkya Rahane...