Shardul Thakur changes jersey number

The Mumbai bowler was criticised on social media for wearing the No. 10, synonymous with Sachin Tendulkar.

Shardul Thakur returned to the ODI squad for the series against New Zealand.

Paceman Shardul Thakur had been widely criticised for wearing a jersey numbered 10 on his ODI debut in Sri Lanka last month. Having returned to the squad, the Mumbai bowler has changed the jersey number to 54.

With Thakur wearing the jersey synonymous with that of legendary Sachin Tendulkar, social media went berserk over the Mumbai player’s move. Despite the bowler having clarified that he had chosen No. 10 due to numerological reasons, he was picked apart for allegedly not showing respect to Tendulkar.

On his return to India's squad, Thakur didn't make the cut in India's XI on his home turf. However, during the warm-ups, he was seen wearing the new jersey. One wonders if the bowler had a change of heart or if he was instructed to do so!