Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur, known for his aggressive and quick bowling, possesses the ability to swing the ball away from right-handers while delivering powerful pitches. He has emerged as the leading force in Mumbai’s bowling attack, offering a contrasting style to Dhawal Kulkarni’s more consistent and rhythmic approach with the new ball. The Indian bowler is supremely talented and getting better with every passing day.

History:

Shardul Narendra Thakur, born on 16 October 1991 in Palghar, Maharashtra, India, is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium bowler. Recognized for his bowling prowess, Thakur plays a crucial role as a dynamic bowler. His abilities make him a valuable asset for the teams he represents, showcasing his versatility on the cricket field.

Originally from Palghar, a town located 87 km north of Mumbai, Shardul Thakur spent his formative cricketing years transporting his kitbag on early-morning trains to the city.

Initially facing criticism due to his shorter stature as a fast bowler at 5 feet 9 inches and carrying some extra weight at 83 kilograms, Shardul Thakur overcame these challenges to secure a spot in the Mumbai domestic team. His determination and skills ultimately silenced the early skepticism, proving his worth in the cricketing arena.

Teams: 

In November 2012, Shardul Thakur marked his first-class debut for Mumbai against Rajasthan in the 2012–13 Ranji Trophy at Jaipur. Although he faced a challenging start, securing four wickets with a bowling average of 82.0 in his initial four games, he demonstrated significant improvement in the 2013–14 Ranji season. 

During this season, he claimed 27 wickets at an average of 26.25 in six games, including a notable five-wicket haul. Thakur continued to shine in the 2014-15 Ranji season, amassing 48 wickets at an impressive average of 20.81 from ten games, featuring five five-wicket hauls. He also made his List A debut for Mumbai in the 2013–14 Vijay Hazare Trophy on 27 February 2014.

During the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy final, Shardul Thakur played a pivotal role by securing eight wickets against Saurashtra, contributing significantly to Mumbai’s triumph and its 41st Ranji Trophy title.

Shardul Thakur earned a spot in India’s 16-man squad for the Test tour of West Indies in 2016, although he didn’t see playing time.[8] Subsequently, in August 2017, he found a place in India‘s limited-overs squad for the series against Sri Lanka.[9] Thakur made his One Day International (ODI) debut on August 31, 2017, against Sri Lanka.

On February 21, 2018, Shardul Thakur marked his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for India against South Africa. Following this, in March 2018, he was chosen to participate in the 2018 Nidahas Trophy. During a match against Sri Lanka in the tournament, he achieved a career-best bowling performance, taking 4 wickets for 27 runs.

In September 2021, Shardul Thakur was selected as one of the three reserve players in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup scheduled for October. On October 13, he stepped in to replace Axar Patel in the primary squad for the tournament. Thakur featured in the playing eleven for two matches during the competition.

In the second Test against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium in January 2022, Shardul Thakur achieved his inaugural five-wicket haul in Test matches.

In the lead-up to the 2015 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Shardul Thakur was acquired by Kings XI Punjab during the 2014 IPL player auction. He made his IPL debut against Delhi Daredevils, securing one wicket in his four overs. Later, in March 2017, Thakur was picked up by Rising Pune Supergiants for the tenth season of the IPL. Subsequently, in January 2018, he was purchased by Chennai Super Kings for the following season.

During the 2019 IPL season, Thakur played a crucial role for Chennai Super Kings as they reached the IPL final. Although he managed to claim two wickets in the final match, he was dismissed off the final ball with two runs needed for victory. In the 2021 season, he emerged as the leading wicket-taker for Chennai, securing 21 wickets during the campaign.

In February 2022, Shardul Thakur found himself in the ranks of Delhi Capitals after being bought in the auction for the 2022 IPL tournament. Following his participation in 14 matches during the season, he was traded to the Kolkata Knight Riders in November 2022 ahead of the auctions for the 2023 season of IPL. The trade secured a significant deal of ₹10.75 crore, marking a noteworthy development in his IPL journey.

Stats:                                                  

In Tests, Shardul Thakur has played 11 matches, taking 31 wickets at an average of 28.38. His best bowling figures include a 7/61. In ODIs, he has featured in 47 matches, claiming 65 wickets with a best of 4/37. In T20 Internationals, Thakur has 33 wickets in 25 matches, including a best of 4/27.

In Tests, Shardul Thakur has played 11 matches, scoring 331 runs at an average of 19.47 with a highest score of 67. In ODIs, he has featured in 47 matches, amassing 329 runs at an average of 17.31, including an unbeaten 50*. In T20 Internationals, Thakur has contributed 69 runs in 25 matches.

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Batting Stats: