Two kinds of players have the biggest legacies — the greats with unparalleled consistency, and the dark horses who often generate some magical moments that make for enthralling viewing. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder, Shardul Thakur has built his entire career around unpredictable performances when the chips are down and Thursday was no different.
KKR witnessed a rollercoaster return to Eden Gardens for their first IPL home game in four years as they managed to recover from 89/5 after 11.3 overs to 192/6 in just 8 overs. The belligerent partnership of 103 runs saw outrageous shotmaking of the highest order led by the franchise’s new signing Shardul Thakur.
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Just when the KKR supporters were losing faith, the all-rounder shut down the reverberating chants of ‘RCB’ around the stadium with a knock for the ages that was eventually worth 68 off just 29 balls.
Shardul Thakur came to the crease immediately after Andre Russell had departed for a golden duck and almost awarded Karn Sharma with a hat-trick after getting a thick inside edge of the first delivery he faced. However, thereon the trajectory of the 31-year-old’s innings soared upwards steeply as the next over bowled by Akashdeep Singh saw the fast bowler thrashed for a couple of boundaries and a maximum.
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The highlight of Thakur’s innings came in the 15th over when Kiwi spinner Michael Bracewell conceded back-to-back sixes when Sharul Thakur smashed them while coming down the track. Thakur got to his half-century off just 20 balls, making it the joint-fastest so far in the ongoing season. His efforts eventually helped the team post a mammoth total of 204/7 as he only departed while attempting another with just two balls to go.
Here is the video of fiery knock of Shardul Thakur:
The Twiteratti were thoroughly entertained by the batting ond display with the innings proving as a stern reminder of why the Kolkata franchise dished out INR 10.75 crore ahead of the season to acquire his services from Delhi Capitals.
SRK not getting too excited coz Shardul has to bowl too. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/CLN5552gnf
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) April 6, 2023
RCB: Russell out, ab to KKR gayi
Lord Shardul Thakur : pic.twitter.com/F00W5OtpvE
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) April 6, 2023
If SRK and Kohli are kings then Shardul is Lord of the Kings
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) April 6, 2023
Lord shardul in today's match. #KKRvRCB pic.twitter.com/lmySwR9kJZ
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) April 6, 2023
Shardul Thakur has the fastest fifty by an Indian in IPL 2023. pic.twitter.com/spsAZf88sG
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 6, 2023
Fifty in just 20 balls by Shardul Thakur.
What a crazy innings by Lord Thakur, his maiden IPL fifty. He absolutely smoked it tonight! pic.twitter.com/kHUbd3zqqE
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 6, 2023
The Man, The Myth, The Legend.
Lord Shardul 👑 💜#KKRvRCB pic.twitter.com/5OdpCNsbPO— Sir BoiesX (@BoiesX45) April 6, 2023
Lord Shardul Thakur🔥🥵 pic.twitter.com/iTOWpFOenr
— Pulkit🇮🇳 (@pulkit5Dx) April 6, 2023
