Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) all-rounder Shardul Thakur delivered a match-winning performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 7th match of IPL 2025, held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on March 27. Thakur, who went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, has turned his fortunes around with a sensational start to the season, proving his worth as a vital asset for LSG.
After being brought in as an injury replacement for Mohsin Khan, Shardul has justified LSG’s faith in him with back-to-back stellar performances. He picked up two wickets in his debut game against Delhi Capitals and followed it up with a career-best IPL spell against SRH. The right-arm pacer was relentless with his powerplay and death-over bowling, dismantling Hyderabad’s batting lineup.
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Thakur started strong, dismissing Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan early in the powerplay, sending shockwaves through SRH’s top order. He later returned to claim the scalps of Abhinav Manohar and Mohammed Shami, completing a remarkable four-wicket haul (4/34 in 4 overs). His efforts ensured that SRH, once tipped to post a mammoth total, was restricted to 190 runs.
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Before the match, there was plenty of talk about SRH breaching the 300-run mark, but Thakur single-handedly quashed those ambitions. With this performance, he also secured the Purple Cap, leading the tournament’s wicket-takers with six wickets in just two games. From going unsold to donning the Purple Cap, Thakur’s stunning comeback has emphatically silenced his critics.
Following LSG’s win, team owner Sanjiv Goenka showed his appreciation in a heartwarming gesture. As he greeted the players post-match, he bowed down in respect when Thakur came forward, acknowledging his game-changing spell.
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With the bat, LSG showcased their firepower, comfortably chasing down SRH’s target of 190. Nicholas Pooran (70 off 26 balls) and Mitchell Marsh (52 off 31 balls) took charge, adding a match-winning 116-run stand for the second wicket. The duo’s aggressive stroke play ensured LSG crossed the finish line in just 16.1 overs, securing their first victory of IPL 2025 in dominant fashion.
