Shardul

Thakur

Shardul Thakur Biography and Career

With his all-round performance, he caught the attention of cricket experts which eventually led him to play for the Indian team. He is Shardul Thakur, a right arm medium pace bowler who has the ability to swing the ball away from right-handed batters and also excels with the bat.

His amazing ability to provide the team with a breakthrough when it needs it most earned him the tag of an impact player for the team.

While initially criticized for his lack of height to be a fast bowler (5 ft 9 inches) and for being overweight for some time (83 kg), he ultimately became a part of the Mumbai domestic team.

In November 2012, he made his first-class debut for Mumbai against Rajasthan in the 2012–13 Ranji Trophy. His best performance came against Saurashtra where he took 8 wickets and led Mumbai to win the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy final.

Shardul's domestic performances opened his path to play the biggest Twenty20 (T20) franchise cricket in the world -- Indian Premier League (IPL). He was acquired by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) to play the 2015 season of IPL and made his debut against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals).

He was later acquired by Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) for the tenth season of the IPL and in January 2018, he was bought by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the next season.

Shardul's performance truly shone when he started playing from Chennai. In the 2021 IPL season, he was the leading wicket-taker for Chennai, secured 21 wickets during the tournament and played a pivotal role in their championship triumph. In 2022, he was traded to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and secured a staggering deal of Rs 10.75 crore.

His performances in domestic and IPL earned him a spot in the national team. He debuted in international cricket on August 31, 2017, in a One Day International (ODI) match against Sri Lanka.

Shardul made headlines by wearing the number 10 jersey, which was previously associated with Sachin Tendulkar and led to widespread discussion. After this, he started wearing the number 54 jersey to honour the legacy of the cricket legend. Later, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) retired Tendulkar's number 10 jersey.

His performance in the ODI led him to play T20I and Test cricket for the Indian Team. He made his T20I debut against South Africa on February 21, 2018. However, his career-best performance came against Sri Lanka during the 2018 Nidahas Trophy, where he took 4 wickets and gave just 27 runs. He also won the Player of the Match award.  

Later in the year, he made his Test debut against the West Indies, however, his first Test ended after bowling just 10 deliveries due to injury. He made a remarkable comeback during India's 2020-21 tour of Australia. His 67-run innings and seven wickets in the Gabba Test played a crucial role in India's historic win, cementing his reputation as a player who delivers in crucial moments.

Shardul's 7-wicket haul against South Africa in Johannesburg on January 3, 2022, is the highlight of his career. Such achievements underline his evolution from a domestic player to a reliable match-winner at a bigger level.

His performances have often been the subject of appreciation and respect from commentators and fans. His ability to change the course of a match with his bowling or batting has earned him the nickname "Lord" Shardul. Fans often take to social media to express their joy for his performances in the game, with hashtags like #LordShardul and #Shardulkar.

Shardul’s journey has been a story of growth and perseverance. From being a domestic cricket player to becoming a part of the Indian team, he has worked tirelessly on his fitness and skills. Over the years, he has evolved into a reliable all-rounder, capable of contributing in all formats.

Beyond Cricket

Away from the ground, Shardul Thakur leads a life rooted in simplicity and personal growth. He is a family-oriented person and often credits his parents and siblings for their support throughout his career. In his free time, he enjoys travelling and exploring new cuisines.

In February 2023, Shardul got married to Mittali Parulkar. The couple have been together since their school days. Mittali is an entrepreneur and runs "All Jazz Bakery", a bakery startup in Thane.

Off the field, Shardul is known for his humble personality and active engagement with fans on social media. He often shares glimpses of his personal life, including his love for football and badminton, and his interactions with fans reflect his friendly and humble nature.

He also loves to spend time on his fitness. Apart from his cricketing achievements and on-field moments, he also shares glimpses of his training sessions on his social media.

Shardul is also involved in social work. He supports the Tata Power EcoCrew, an energy literacy movement that aims to promote a cleaner future and the Thakur Foundation, an independent funding organization that promotes civil rights and access to information.

His cricketing achievements have also earned him brand deals. He is the brand ambassador for companies like Skechers, Puma and others.

Shardul Thakur Records

Shardul Thakur Test Records: 

• Best figures by an Indian bowler in a Test innings in South Africa (2022): Took 7 wickets and gave 61 runs against South Africa, breaking the record of R Ashwin (7/66) and Harbhajan Singh (7/120).

   

Shardul Thakur ODI Records

• Notable achievement (2023): Gave career best bowling figures of 4/37 against West Indies, with an economy rate of 5.69.

Shardul Thakur T20I Records

• Best bowling figure (2018): Took 4 wickets and gave 27 runs in a match against Sri Lanka during the 2018 Nidahas Trophy and won the Player of the Match award for his performance.
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Shardul Thakur IPL Records 

• Leading wicket-taker for CSK in IPL 2021: Took 21 wickets in the season, playing an important role in Chennai winning the title that year.