Shardul Thakur has had a remarkable start to IPL 2025, going from being unsold at the mega auction to becoming one of the standout performers of the tournament. The 33-year-old was drafted in by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as a replacement for the injured Mohsin Khan, and he has wasted no time proving his worth. With six wickets in just two matches, Thakur has already established himself as a key figure in LSG’s campaign.
He made an impact right from his first game, picking up two wickets against Delhi Capitals. However, it was his stellar four-wicket haul against Sunrisers Hyderabad that truly turned heads, earning him the Player of the Match award. Thakur’s dismissals included big names like Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, both of whom fell victim to his clever variations.
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Abhishek’s dismissal came off a short ball that he failed to control, sending a catch straight to Nicholas Pooran. Later, Ishan was caught behind off a delivery down the leg side, showcasing Thakur’s ability to trouble even the best with his unpredictable bowling. His teammate Avesh Khan humorously summed it up after the game, saying, “Only God and Shardul know where he’ll bowl. No one else has a clue.”
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Shardul Thakur wasn’t done yet. He returned in the death overs to remove Abhishek Manohar and Mohammed Shami, restricting SRH to 190. His efforts helped LSG chase down the target and secure a five-wicket win.
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This was Thakur’s second four-wicket haul in IPL history, and his performances have put him second in the Purple Cap race. Only Chennai Super Kings’ Noor Ahmad, with seven wickets, is ahead. Thakur will aim to overtake him when LSG takes on Punjab Kings at home on April 1.
