The Indian cricket team's preparations for the upcoming Test series against England have taken an interesting turn, with Shardul Thakur making a compelling case for his inclusion in the playing XI. In the intra-squad match between India and India A, Thakur slammed an unbeaten 122, showcasing his batting prowess against a formidable bowling attack. The match, held in Beckenham, Kent, served as the final leg of India's ten-day camp in London, concluding on June 15th.

Thakur's impressive knock came against a bowling lineup that included the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Arshdeep Singh. His performance has certainly given the team management a headache, as they now have to consider whether to include him in the XI for the first Test, which begins on June 20th in Headingley. Prior to his century, Thakur had also impressed with the ball, troubling top-order batsmen like KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Karun Nair while bowling for India A.

The intra-squad match, however, was called off midway through Day 3. While the exact reason for calling off the match isn't explicitly stated, it can be inferred that the team management had seen enough from the players to make their assessments ahead of the first Test. Besides Thakur's heroics, Sarfaraz Khan had also shone with a 76-ball century on Day 2. On the first day, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill had also scored impressive half-centuries.

Thakur's case for selection is strengthened by his recent form and past performances in England. He last played a Test for India in December 2023 against South Africa. He has a solid record in England, having played four of his 11 Tests there, taking 10 wickets and scoring 173 runs with three half-centuries. He also had a strong domestic season for Mumbai, where he was a standout performer in the Ranji Trophy, taking 35 wickets and scoring 505 runs with one century and four fifties.

The all-rounder spot in the team is likely to be a contest between Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy. While Reddy played all five Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and even scored a century in the Melbourne Test, his returns with the ball were not as impressive. Thakur, on the other hand, is known for his knack for taking wickets against the tide and is often referred to as a "man with a golden arm."

With the first Test just around the corner, the Indian team will travel to Leeds on June 17th to finalize their preparations. The team management will have a tough decision to make regarding the composition of the playing XI, and Thakur's performance in the intra-squad match has undoubtedly boosted his chances of being included.