33Shardul Thakur's blunt remark in the press conference suggested a difference in thought between the player and captain, as the all-rounder put the blame on Shubman Gill for his bowling just five overs on the second day of play in the fourth Test between India and England, taking place at the Old Trafford Cricket Stadium in Manchester.

As the Indian bowlers struggled for wickets with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett giving England a rapid start with a 166-run opening partnership, Shardul bowled 5 overs and gave away 35 runs at an extremely expensive economy of seven runs per over as he failed to either take a wicket or control the run-flow.

In the post-match press conference, Shardul put the blame on the Indian captain Gill for his poor display and claimed he should have been giving more overs to bowl. The veteran cricketer further stated that it was difficult rhythm after not getting a long spell.

"Giving bowling is the captain's call. Not in my hands. The captain decides when to give them," Shardul said in the press conference after the end of the day's play. "I could have bowled two overs more today but that is the captain's call. It is difficult to find rhythm but I try and use my experience," said Shardul in the post-match press conference.

Shardul returned to the playing XI after missing the second and third Test following an injury to Nitish Kumar Reddy. The 33-year-old made 41 runs with the bat and helped India post a total of 358 on the board after Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl first.

Shardul was part of India's playing XI in the first Test at Leeds, which India lost by five wickets. He was given just six overs in the first innings and conceded 38 runs and went wicketless. Later, he bowled 10 overs in the second innings and took two important wickets but gave away 51 runs.

He made just one run in the first innings and a duck in the second with the bat.