Just a few months ago, Shardul Thakur was gearing up for a future without the IPL. Despite being a reliable performer for India in limited-overs cricket and a stalwart in domestic cricket, Shardul Thakur found himself unsold at the IPL auction. A shocking moment for many, especially after a successful stint with India in various formats, but this setback was only the beginning of an incredible turnaround.
With the IPL seemingly behind him, Shardul was focused on his upcoming stint with Essex in county cricket, but his performances in the Ranji Trophy knockouts caught the attention of IPL franchises. It was at this point that Zaheer Khan, the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), made an important call that would change everything. Zaheer reached out to Shardul, informing him that LSG was considering him as a replacement for injured pacer Mohsin Khan. Shardul was asked to stay sharp, and that call turned out to be the turning point of his career.
After his heroics against SRH, Thakur revealed, “While we were playing Ranji Trophy knockouts, Mr. Zaheer Khan made a call and he said we are looking at you as a potential replacement. So, (he told me) don't switch yourself off and keep your plans ready. Probably if you come in as a replacement, you will start. That was the day I started to get into the IPL mindset again and the hopes came back."
With LSG needing a strong pacer, Shardul was called into action, and he didn’t disappoint. Fast forward to just two matches into the IPL season, and Shardul has already claimed six wickets—a staggering return for someone who was not part of the initial squad. His performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad was particularly remarkable, where he not only picked up four wickets for 34 runs, but also achieved his career-best figures. That match also marked a special milestone for Shardul—100 IPL wickets, a testament to his skill and consistency.
Shardul’s sudden rise has solidified his place as a key player in LSG’s bowling attack, especially with other pacers unavailable. From being unsold at the auction to becoming the leader of the attack, Shardul’s story is a powerful reminder of how opportunity and resilience can turn challenges into triumphs.
