Indian pacer Shardul Thakur achieved a major milestone in the Indian Premier League (IPL), reaching 100 wickets during Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Uppal Stadium, Hyderabad.
Nicknamed the ‘Palghar Express’, Shardul delivered his best-ever IPL performance, claiming 4/34 in four overs, dismissing key batters Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Abhinav Manohar, and Mohammed Shami.
Shardul’s IPL Journey & Milestone
Having played 97 matches across multiple franchises, including Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Delhi Capitals (DC), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and now LSG, he has taken 100 wickets at an average of 29.22, with best figures of 4/34.
His best IPL season came in 2021 with CSK, where he played a crucial role in their title-winning campaign, picking up 21 wickets at an average of 25.09, with best figures of 3/25.
Shardul on His Journey & Thoughts on IPL Pitches
After being named Player of the Match, Shardul revealed that he had considered playing county cricket after going unsold in the IPL auction last year.
“Zaheer Khan (team mentor) had called me when I was playing in the Ranji Trophy, and he told me that you may be called in as a potential replacement, so do not switch yourself off. If you are called in as a replacement, you are likely to start,” he said.
He also expressed concerns about high-scoring matches in IPL 2025:
“Bowlers get very little in these kinds of matches. Even in the last game, I said that pitches should be prepared in a way where the game hangs in the balance. With the impact sub-rule coming in, it is unfair on the bowlers if a team scores 240-250 runs.”
Match Summary: LSG vs SRH
- SRH Innings (190/9 in 20 overs):
- Travis Head – 47 (28)
- Aniket Verma – 36 (13)
- Pat Cummins – 18 (4)
- Shardul Thakur – 4/34
- LSG Run-Chase (193/5 in 16.1 overs):
- Nicholas Pooran – 70 (26)
- Mitchell Marsh – 52 (31)
- Abdul Samad – 22* (8)
- Pat Cummins – 2/29
A dominant 116-run partnership between Pooran and Marsh set the platform, and Samad’s late cameo helped LSG secure a five-wicket win with 23 balls to spare.
Shardul Thakur’s match-winning spell earned him the Player of the Match award, further cementing his impact in IPL 2025.