Shardul Thakur might be widespread amongst franchises when the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) public sale comes round. He has confirmed his means to win titles for his facet within the IPL and the worldwide enviornment. He’s additionally a helpful lower-order batsman. Kolkata Knight Riders launched the Mumbai-based pacer as part of the staff’s restructuring plan for IPL 17. This might be excellent news for the remaining groups since most are on the lookout for good fast-bowling choices.
Thakur’s rise within the IPL has been sluggish however regular. Presently, he’s thirtieth on the record of the league’s all-time finest bowlers with 89 wickets to his identify.
Preliminary disappointment
Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) purchased Shardul Thakur as a promising teen from Mumbai in 2014. Thakur’s hopes have been excessive, however he wasn’t in a position to make it to the taking part in XI within the first season.
His type within the home circuit continued to enhance. He peaked in the course of the 2015 Ranji Trophy season, the place he picked up 41 wickets and emerged as Mumbai’s most profitable bowler. He picked up 3 wickets within the first innings after which bowled the spell of his life to take 5 wickets in simply 13 overs. The staff gained the Ranji Trophy that season, and Thakur was earmarked for greater issues. Even this success did little to additional Thakur’s probabilities of changing into an everyday within the IPL. He performed only one match and did not even get to complete his quota of 4 overs.
After rising as Mumbai’s finest bowler once more the following season and nonetheless being ignored by the Punjab franchise, Thakur took to X (then Twitter) to specific his disappointment. The next season, he was launched by the franchise. This was the perfect factor that would occur to his profession. In 2017, the Rising Pune Supergiant secured his companies, and he performed 12 of the staff’s 16 matches.
Thakur’s efficiency at his residence floor of Mumbai within the first Qualifier caught everybody’s eye. He picked up 3 wickets to ship a robust Mumbai Indians staff packing. Since then, he has performed each season of the IPL. He got here into his personal beneath MS Dhoni’s management and had his most profitable season in 2021, the place he had 21 wickets to his identify. Chennai Tremendous Kings went on to win the trophy that season.
All-round choice
He was subsequently offered to the Delhi Capitals for Rs 10.75 Crore within the 2022 season. He claimed 15 wickets within the season, however the staff did not impress and completed on the backside half of the desk. Thakur was launched and was purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders.
Throughout this time, Thakur’s batting additionally got here into focus. Enjoying on the staff’s residence floor of Eden Gardens, Thakur got here in when the staff was reeling at 89/5 and performed a blinder. He scored 68 of 29 balls, his first and solely half-century within the IPL. Nonetheless, his bowling suffered throughout this time as he may decide up simply 7 wickets within the 11 matches he performed.
ODI World Cup 2023 stint
Thakur’s lack of type within the IPL additionally coincided along with his lack of type in worldwide cricket. He was part of the Indian staff’s ODI World Cup squad, nevertheless, he was dropped from the facet in favour of Mohammed Shami. He did not get to complete his quota of 10 overs in a single match he performed.
The Mumbai participant has hit a tough patch as he comes into this public sale. However his all-round companies will nonetheless be extremely regarded. He’s nonetheless among the many prime Indian pacers within the present set-up. His uncanny means to choose up wickets when the staff wants units him aside.
Groups that would bid for Shardul Thakur
Chennai Tremendous Kings have Deepak Chahar and Tushar Deshpande to take up opening bowler duties. Nonetheless, neither of them is as skilled as Shardul Thakur. The all-rounder has additionally had essentially the most profitable stint of his profession with CSK. They gained the 2018 and 2021 championships collectively.
Mumbai Indians may additionally go for the native boy in the course of the public sale. They’ve a wonderful Indian bowling choice in Jasprit Bumrah, nevertheless, they might not wish to play Arjun Tendulkar in all of the matches. Shardul Thakur will make choice if they will get him at a discount value.
Delhi Capitals are additionally seeking to restructure their facet forward of IPL 17. They’ve a senior bowler in Ishant Sharma. Thakur may cut up the accountability of being the staff’s skilled pacer with Ishant Sharma and provides the staff a greater stability.
Matters talked about on this article
