India all-rounder Shardul Thakur defended players taking occasional breaks amid intense workloads, emphasising the difficulty of maintaining peak fitness year-round in modern cricket. Speaking after leading West Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinal, the 33-year-old Mumbai cricketer highlighted how bodies are often "taken for granted" without adequate management. "Frequent breaks are good for the body—it's a constant challenge to stay fit all year," he said, while stressing that players must give 100% once in the game, managing loads during rest periods or net sessions.

Thakur praised India's young, inexperienced squad for their 2-2 draw in the recent five-Test series against England, calling it "incredible" given the retirement of veterans. "We could have won if we'd pushed harder; every match went to the last session on day five, which is rare," he noted, crediting their performance despite unique pitches and gruelling schedules.

On the Duleep Trophy pitch at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Thakur expressed dissatisfaction, pointing out it favoured spinners and offered little for fast bowlers. "We need more sporting pitches where fast bowlers can bowl 40 overs, balancing the game for batters, spinners, and pacers," he urged, addressing a common domestic cricket complaint.

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Delighted with his Duleep Trophy captaincy experience, Thakur confirmed openness to leading Mumbai this season after Ajinkya Rahane stepped down. As a versatile player known for match-turning spells and lower-order batting, Thakur's views underscore evolving debates on player welfare amid packed international calendars.

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