The Inspiring Journey of Shardul Thakur: From Palghar to Team India
Discover the remarkable journey of Shardul Thakur, a key player for Indias cricket team, from his humble beginnings to international success.
Palghar, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : Shardul Thakur, a fast bowler and valuable all-rounder for the Indian cricket team, is celebrated for his versatility and knack for taking crucial wickets. He has made his mark in Test, ODI, and T20 formats, and his performance in the IPL has also been noteworthy.
Born on October 16, 1991, in Palghar, Maharashtra, Shardul had to travel to Mumbai daily for training. He would wake up around 3 AM to catch the local train at 4 AM. His coach, Dinesh Lad, recognized his talent and advised him to stay at his home in Borivali, prompting Shardul’s family to relocate from Palghar to Boisar to support his cricket career.
During his school days, Shardul famously hit six sixes in one over. His impressive performances earned him a debut in the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai during the 2012-13 season. Known for his ability to swing the ball away from right-handed batsmen, he played a pivotal role in the 2015-16 Ranji final, where he took eight wickets against Saurashtra, leading Mumbai to victory.
Following advice from teammates, Shardul worked on reducing his weight, resulting in a stellar 2014-15 season where he claimed 48 wickets, making him one of the leading wicket-takers in the Ranji Trophy. His performance earned him a spot in the ‘India A’ team for four-day matches against Australia ‘A’ and South Africa ‘A’.
In 2015, Shardul made his IPL debut with the Punjab Kings. He later played for the Rising Pune Supergiants, where he took 11 wickets in 12 matches. From 2018 to 2021, he was part of the Chennai Super Kings, claiming 21 wickets in 16 matches during the 2021 season. He has also played for Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, and Mumbai Indians.
Popularly known as ‘Lord Shardul,’ he debuted in ODIs for India in August 2017 and was included in the T20 and Test teams in 2018. Shardul proved to be a game-changer during a Test match against England at The Oval in 2021, scoring 57 runs off 36 balls in the first innings and 60 runs off 72 balls in the second, alongside taking three wickets, leading India to a 157-run victory.
To date, Shardul has taken 33 wickets in 13 Tests, 65 wickets in 47 ODIs, and 33 wickets in 25 T20 matches. In the IPL, he has achieved 119 wickets in 114 matches, solidifying his status as a key player in Indian cricket.
