Thakur has played only 11 Tests - 10 away from Asia - since his debut in 2018, emerging as an enigma who excelled when least expected. He picked up 31 wickets at an average of 28.38 and made 331 runs at a tick below 20 - numbers that fail to reveal the fascination he held every time he took the field.

For the ‘Lord’ was more than just the trivial. His aura extended beyond, helping him earn the tag of a partnership breaker, often coming in as the second-change pacer. 15 times he sent back a batter who had gotten off to a start and made more than 30, including nine times after he had scored fifty. Joe Root (twice), Steve Smith, David Warner, Quinton de Kock and Ben Stokes are some of the wickets that make it into his resume.

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Thakur’s run-scoring, often at No.8, was also inexplicable. In 18 innings, he made below five nine times but he was also involved in three hundred-plus stands, or in six partnerships of over 40. In short, he blew hot-and-cold but when he struck, it was almost always impactful and India were ready to gamble with his form in overseas Tests.

Barring his debut Test, against the West Indies in 2018, Thakur played all his games away from India. Away from Asia, to be precise. He played one Test in Australia, four in England, four in South Africa and one at Roseau against the Windies. The plan was simple: India no longer had the services of Hardik Pandya, who switched to focusing on white-ball cricket with his injury-tainted body, and Thakur was the closest they could find to a pace all-rounder.

India’s fast bowlers do not inspire with the bat and India preferred going in with just one spinner - usually Ravindra Jadeja - away from home. Without a player who could bat at No.8, the batting would be too narrow and abrupt. Thakur perfectly filled the void, albeit in a bits-of-pieces kind of way.

Adelaide was Rohit Sharma's fourth consecutive loss as captain in less than two months, one more than the number of bad calls he felt was okay in a year.@CoverDrivenFor4 writes how the captain is fast becoming India's unlucky charm.

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Thakur last played a Test during India’s tour to South Africa, where he made 26 runs and picked up a lone wicket. He has not been named in India’s squad for the Australia tour, with Nitish Kumar Reddy taking on his role.

Why has Shardul Thakur not been picked for the Australia series?

Thakur was sidelined for almost three months after undergoing foot surgery in June. It made him miss the Duleep Trophy, but he made a comeback in the Irani Trophy.

He has played six first-class games this season, making 165 runs with a high score of 62 and has plucked out 14 wickets at an average of 29.78. It was not enough to win over the selectors, who went with an inexperienced Reddy for the Australia tour.

Reddy, who had played only 23 red-ball games in the last four years before his Test debut at Perth, did not have the glistening figures other Indian domestic stars usually have before breaking through into the international team. He had two fifties and a hundred, averaging 21.05 but he came with plenty of promise. Naturally, his selection was criticised, with India looking to go in with a youngster who was unheard of before the 2024 Indian Premier League over a been-there-done-that campaigner.

There was no scope to play two seam all-rounders either. It would have drastically weakened the batting, with one of Reddy or Thakur slotting in at No.7. India could have dropped Harshit Rana for a spinner in that case, but he can bowl in excess of 150kmph, which neither all-rounder can. It, thus, was always meant to be Reddy or Thakur. India, also influenced by long-term plans, went ahead with the Andhra player.

Two Tests into the series, Reddy has silenced critics, with the bat at least. He has looked assured and fearless, showing several glimpses of his raw talent in trying conditions. But while he is arguably an upgrade on Thakur the batter, the Mumbai player was undoubtedly the better fourth-change pacer.

Reddy could evolve into an effective bowler as well, but with India’s bowling already struggling and heavily reliant on Jasprit Bumrah, have the selectors made the right decision?

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