Cheteshwar Pujara Analyzes Shardul Thakur’s Match-Winning Spell Against SRH in IPL 2025

Shardul Thakur, who went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega-auction, has made a remarkable comeback, proving his worth as a key performer for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Signed as a replacement for Mohsin Khan, the seasoned all-rounder delivered a game-changing spell against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), securing a four-wicket haul. His performance played a crucial role in LSG’s five-wicket victory over SRH.

Shardul Thakur’s Impactful Spell Against SRH

In just his second game of IPL 2025, Thakur wreaked havoc with the ball, dismantling the SRH batting lineup. He picked up four wickets, including the prized scalp of in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, who was dismissed for just six runs. His brilliant spell ensured that SRH was restricted to 190 runs, a total that LSG chased down successfully.

Bowler Overs Runs Conceded Wickets Economy Rate
Shardul Thakur 4 32 4 8.00
Cheteshwar Pujara Breaks Down Thakur’s Game Plan

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara, speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, provided insights into Thakur’s bowling strategy. He emphasized how the LSG pacer used swing and deception to trouble the SRH openers.

“One is, he is looking to swing the ball. With the new ball, he is getting that shape into the left-handers and he’s trying to mix it up with the yorkers. If you look at the previous deliveries, which Abhishek or Travis Head faced, he tried bowling yorkers—it was low full-tosses—but as a batter, you are thinking, is it going to be a yorker or a back-of-a-length ball?”

Pujara further highlighted how Thakur’s use of short-pitched deliveries kept the batters guessing.

“And suddenly, he bowls a bumper, which could surprise a batter. And then you have less than a fraction of a second to execute your shot, and that’s why I think Abhishek was late on his shot.”

Shardul Thakur: IPL 2025 Purple Cap Leader

With six wickets in two matches, Thakur is now the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2025, holding the Purple Cap. His consistent performances have strengthened LSG’s bowling attack, adding depth alongside frontline pacers.

Player	Team	Matches	Wickets	Economy Rate
Shardul Thakur	LSG	2	6	7.85
Jasprit Bumrah	MI	2	5	6.75
Rashid Khan	GT	2	5	7.2

Lucknow Super Giants have played two matches so far, winning one and losing one. They currently hold the second spot on the IPL 2025 points table, with Nicholas Pooran leading the Orange Cap race after scoring 145 runs in two innings.

As IPL 2025 progresses, Shardul Thakur’s resurgence adds an exciting dimension to LSG’s campaign. With his ability to strike at crucial moments, he will remain a key player to watch as the tournament unfolds.

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