Shardul will have to compete with Hardik for his place in Indian playing XI: Styris

New Delhi: Former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris feels Shardul Thakur has the ability to hit boundaries, close out innings but he isn't as good as Hardik Pandya and the pacer will have to compete with the star all-rounder for his place in the playing XI of a full-strength Indian team.

Hardik, who has been in sensational form and played a match-winning knock in the series-decider 3rd ODI against England, has been given a break from the three 50-over matches against the West Indies.

Speaking exclusively on SPORTS18's daily sports news show 'SPORTS OVER THE TOP', former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris feels Shardul Thakur will have to fight for his place with the emergence of Hardik Pandya.

"That's the one thing he has at his advantage is the fact that he bats, and we've seen him play many match-winning innings for India, usually in the longer versions of the game. But he does possess that ability to hit boundaries, close out innings or put the final touches, the cherry on the top if you like is one thing that he does have to his advantage," Styris said on SPORTS18's show 'SPORTS OVER THE TOP'.

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