"International Comeback Is Far": In-form India Star's Response Despite Ranji Trophy Heroics

Shardul Thakur's sizzling 109 and Tanush Kotian's unbeaten 74 offset R Sai Kishore's six-wicket haul, putting Mumbai in command by powering them to a 207-run first-innings lead over Tamil Nadu on the second day of the Ranji Trophy semifinal on Sunday. Ultimately, Mumbai won the match by an innings and 70 runs. Thakur, meanwhile, admitted that an international comeback for India is not on the cards despite his maiden century across formats. "I think international comeback is far from now because the Test team is out already for the fifth game (against England) and after this we are going into the IPL.

"It's far, I am not thinking that far. But yes, scoring a century is a big, big relief and also it was very important for the team at that point of time," he added.

Shardul Thakur on Sunday said that the BCCI will have to relook next year's Ranji Trophy schedule as playing 10 matches with just three-day gaps between games could lead to injuries to players. Thakur said it's difficult for players to adjust to the three-day gap between knockout matches, which was not the case earlier. "B"It's difficult because we are playing first-class games in (a) three days' gap - that has never happened in Ranji Trophy season ever," Thakur told the media here after making a fine century in the semifinal against Tamil Nadu.

"You know the schedule is becoming tighter and tighter. If boys keep playing like this for two more seasons, there will be lot of injuries across the country. "Next year, they (the BCCI) have to re-look at it and give more break," he added.

He said few years back players got more days in between matches in Ranji Trophy.

"When I remember playing Ranji Trophy back in the days, good 7-8 years back, (the) first three games