Star India allrounder Shardul Thakur has said that he believes he is in contention for the upcoming five-match Test series against England in June and is hoping to make a comeback in the series, after staying away from the national team for over a year now. Despite being out of India's scheme of things at the moment, Thakur is keeping his hopes high.

The star India allrounder, who played an important role in India's tour of England four years back, has been in brilliant form this domestic season. He has scored 396 runs in eight matches at an average of 44 while picking 30 wickets at an average of 21.1.

Thakur's latest heroics came on the third morning as he dismantled the Haryana tail with a six-wicket haul, bagging a 14-run first-innings lead for Mumbai.

"Yes. I believe I'm in contention. The next step is to make my place in the team and earn selection. That's always the goal," Thakur said while speaking to the media after the end of the third day's play in Kolkata.

"Right now, I'm playing at the Ranji Trophy level. International cricket is the highest level we all strive for. It's always on my mind, it's the motivation to play for the country that drives me forward. That passion, that fire, never fades," Thakur added.

The star India allrounder, who went unsold in the IPL mega auction, is open to playing in the County Championship to gain experience playing in English conditions. He has never played county cricket before.

"If I get an offer, I'll play. It would be a great new experience. Right now, there are no concrete plans, but county cricket has 6 to 7 matches around that time. If selected, it will help me adjust to English conditions before the (England) tour," Thakur said.

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