Shardul Thakur

Shardul Narendra Thakur is an Indian international cricketer. He was a part of the Indian squad which won the 2018 Asia Cup and the 2023 Asia Cup.

Early life

Thakur was initially criticised for his lack of height for a fast bowler (he is 5 ft 9 in) and for being overweight for some time (83 kg) but he ultimately became a part of Mumbai domestic team.

In November 2021, Thakur got engaged to Mittali Parulkar. The pair got married on February 27, 2023.

Domestic Career:

• In November 2012, he made his first – class debut for Mumbai against Rajasthan at Jaipur in the 2012 – 13 Ranji Trophy.
• He did not have a good start to his career as he took four wickets at a bowling average of 82.0 from his first four games.
• In the 2013 – 14 Ranji season, he took 27 wickets at 26.25 from six games, with one five – wicket haul.
• In the 2014 – 15 Ranji season, he took 48 wickets at 20.81 from ten games with five five – wicket hauls.
• List A debut: on 27 February 2014, for Mumbai in the 2013 – 14 Vijay Hazare Trophy
• In the 2015 – 16 Ranji Trophy final, he took eight wickets against Saurashtra and led Mumbai to win its 41st Ranji Trophy title.

Indian Premier League T20 Franchise (IPL) Career:

• Thakur was signed by Kings XI Punjab at the 2014 IPL player auction ahead of the 2015 season of Indian Premier League and made his debut against Delhi Daredevils, taking one wicket in his four overs.
• In March 2017, he was acquired by Rising Pune Supergiants for the tenth season of the IPL and in January 2018, was bought by Chennai Super Kings ahead of the next season.
• In 2019 Chennai reached the IPL final; Thakur took two wickets but was out off the final ball of the match with two runs required for victory.
• In 2021 he was the leading wicket – taker for Chennai with 21 wickets during the season.
• In February 2022, he was bought by Delhi Capitals in the auction for the 2022 Indian Premier League tournament.
• After playing in 14 matches during the season, in November 2022 he was traded to the Kolkata Knight Riders in exchange for Aman Khan ahead of the auctions for the 2023 season of IPL securing a staggering deal of INR 10.75 crore (US $1.3 million).
• Twenty20 International (T20I) debut: for India against South Africa on 21 February 2018

International Career:

• One Day International (ODI) debut on 31 August 2017 against Sri Lanka
• He became the second Indian cricketer to wear the number 10 jersey after Sachin Tendulkar, which raised various controversial comments in social media.
• Later, he changed his jersey number to 54 due to controversy. On 29 November 2017, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) retired Tendulkar’s No. 10 jersey.
• In May 2018, he was named in India’s Test squad for the one – off Test against Afghanistan in June 2018, but did not play.
• Test debut: in October 2018 against the West Indies, making him the 294th player to represent Team India in Tests
• His debut ended after bowling just 10 deliveries due to suffering from a groin strain in his right leg.

Major Achievements:

• In the 2015 – 16 Ranji Trophy final, he took eight wickets against Saurashtra and led Mumbai to win its 41st Ranji Trophy title.
• He is the 294th player to represent Team India in Tests.
• He became the second Indian cricketer to wear the number 10 jersey after Sachin Tendulkar, which raised various controversial comments in social media.
• In 2021 he was the leading wicket – taker for Chennai with 21 wickets during the season.