Shardul Thakur Reflects On Turning Point After Being Unsold In IPL Auction – Live India TV – Live India TV

March 28, 2025: Shardul Thakur’s IPL 2025 journey took a dramatic turn after a surprising setback in last year’s mega auction, where he went unsold despite a base price of Rs 2 crore. For a while, it seemed like his IPL dreams were on hold. As he began preparing for a County Championship stint with Essex, fate had different plans.
The unexpected change came when the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) approached him as an injury replacement for pacer Mohsin Khan. Mohsin suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which opened the door for Thakur’s return to the IPL.
Shardul joined LSG’s camp, and he has been in sublime form ever since, proving why he’s one of the most valuable all-rounders in the tournament. His standout performance came against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in which he claimed his career-best IPL figures of 4/34, leading LSG to a five-wicket victory. This remarkable spell earned him the coveted Purple Cap as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with six wickets in just two matches.
Reflecting on his rollercoaster IPL journey, Shardul said, “It was just one bad day in the auction, I didn’t get picked. But injuries created an opportunity, and LSG was the first to approach me. Zaheer Khan called me, and I had to accept the offer.”
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Despite his early misfortune, Shardul remains grounded. He attributes his success not to changing his game but to focusing on his natural talent and ability to stay mentally sharp. “Skills are always there, talent is always there. It’s just about form and how you deal with bad days in cricket,” he added.
Shardul’s call-up to the IPL was first hinted at while playing in the Ranji Trophy knockout phase, where he was in fine form, taking 35 wickets across nine games. “Zaheer Khan called during the knockouts and told me to keep my plans ready. That’s when I started to get back into the IPL mindset,” Shardul shared.
After impressing with LSG, Shardul’s contribution was a turning point in the match against SRH. Early wickets—removing key players like Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan—helped LSG take control of the game. “We were clear in our plans to go hard at them. If we got early wickets, we’d be in the game,” Shardul explained. His success didn’t just add to his personal milestones but was crucial for LSG’s victory.
Shardul also emphasized his focus on team success rather than individual accolades. “It’s always good to be on the score sheet, but winning is the most important thing. I want to create match-winning performances,” he said, after his performance saw him reach the 100-wicket milestone in the IPL.
Though Shardul was initially expected to play for Essex, his current IPL commitments have kept him with LSG for the duration of the season, where he hopes to continue making an impact. With his confidence, form, and dedication, Shardul Thakur’s IPL story has come full circle, proving that a setback can always lead to a major comeback.
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