Shardul Thakur’s journey in IPL 2025 has been nothing short of dramatic. From going unsold in the mega auction in Jeddah to becoming the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer has turned his fortunes around in remarkable fashion. During the mid-innings break of LSG’s clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Thakur shared how he got back into his rhythm after the initial disappointment.

With a base price of ₹2 crore, Thakur was left without a team during the auction. Instead of dwelling on the setback, he shifted his focus to a stint with Essex in the County Championship. However, fate had other plans. LSG mentor Zaheer Khan approached him as an injury replacement for left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan, who suffered a serious ACL injury during the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December.

Without hesitation, Shardul Thakur accepted the opportunity and rejoined the IPL. Thakur wasted no time making an impact. In just two games, he picked up six wickets, including a match-winning 4/34 against SRH, making him the current holder of the Purple Cap. His performances against Delhi Capitals (DC) and SRH have solidified his place in LSG’s bowling attack.

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Reflecting on his unexpected IPL return, Shardul Thakur remained unfazed by his auction snub. “These things happen in cricket. It was just one bad day at the auction, but I always believed in my skills. Unfortunately, injuries opened up opportunities, and when LSG reached out first, I gave them preference. Zaheer Khan called me, and since I’ve worked with him closely, I had to accept the offer. Talent is always there; it’s just about handling form and bad days,” Thakur said.

Shardul Thakur – “ I was in NCA when Rishabh Pant got to know that Mohsin Khan is unavailable,the very Next day he called me to LSG Camp as Replacement of Mohsin.All Thanks To Him For Showing Trust in Me” pic.twitter.com/MXm14Xsf3E

— mufaddla parody (@mufaddl_parody) March 27, 2025

With his stellar performances, Thakur has also achieved a personal milestone—100 IPL wickets in just 97 matches. However, for him, the team’s success remains the top priority. “Winning the game is the most important thing for me. I don’t look too much at personal stats. My focus is on creating match-winning performances,” he said.

His spell against SRH earned him the Player of the Match award on March 27. Thakur revealed that he was informed about a potential IPL return during the Ranji Trophy knockout phase. His domestic form was outstanding—he took 35 wickets in nine matches and made crucial contributions with the bat, proving his all-round value.

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Against SRH, Thakur showcased his ability to dismantle the top-order batters. He removed Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan early before dismissing Abhinav Manohar and Mohammed Shami in the death overs. His ability to strike at key moments has made him an invaluable asset for LSG.

Now, with a fresh lease on his IPL career, Shardul Thakur is proving why he belongs on the grand stage. As the tournament progresses, he will look to maintain his form and play a pivotal role in LSG’s campaign.