"Let's see how much they can talk" - Shardul Thakur's advice for Team India to counter Australia's sledging during 2024-25 BGT

Team India pacer Shardul Thakur felt the Indian players should let the Aussies sledge as much as they want without responding during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Known to be as much a mental battle as it is on skill, the India-Australia contests have often ignited a war of words between the players on the field.

The upcoming series will consist of five Tests, starting in Perth on Friday, November 22.

While Thakur will not be part of the Indian side, he had sound advice for the players days before the start of the series.

"The best way to counter them is to not reply," he said. "Let them talk, and why should we reply and make it big? Don't give them anything to catch on, and let's see how much they can talk. I would have done that if I was there. It is the best way to answer the Australians," he said via Sports Tak.

"Border Gavaskar Trophy is always intense. This time we will be going to Australia. It will be challenging not only for the bowlers but for the batters as well. India has great bench strength right now, and those players who came to the national side from the India A team will do well," Thakur added.

Thakur played a massive role in India's 2020-21 Test series win in Australia, producing a heroic all-round performance in the final outing.

With the series tied at 1-1, the 33-year-old was part of the playing XI in an injury-ridden Indian side. However, Thakur responded with a crucial 67 in the first innings and picked up seven wickets to help India pull off a three-wicket victory.

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"I haven’t had any communication yet" - Shardul Thakur on snub from the Indian squad for 2024-25 BGT

Australia v India - ICC World Test Championship Final 2023: Day Three - Source: Getty

Shardul Thakur acknowledged not receiving any communication regarding his snub from the Indian squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, he mentioned that his recent return from surgery made the exclusion obvious and understandable.

"I haven’t had any communication yet. I have just returned from surgery, so it’s obvious that’s the reason I am not in the team at the moment. However, my fitness is in great shape now, and since the Australia tour is a long one, opportunities can come anytime. Following that, the England team is also coming to India for white-ball matches, then there’s the Champions Trophy, so there’s a lot of cricket ahead. So, there will surely be chances somewhere down the line," Thakur was quoted as saying by Sports tak.

Thakur last played Tests for India in the series opener against South Africa in Centurion at the end of last year. He recently picked up seven wickets for Mumbai in their nine-wicket win over Services in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.