India’s fast-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur made a blunt remark about his underuse with the ball on Day 2 of the Manchester Test, suggesting that
Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur, famously nicknamed “Lord Shardul” by fans, is an Indian cricketer known for his never-give-up attitude, ability to take crucial wickets, and contribute with the bat when it matters most. As a right-arm medium-fast bowler and a handy lower-order batter, Shardul has become a reliable all-round asset for Team India across formats, especially in Tests and ODIs.
Quick Facts about Shardul Thakur
- Full Name: Shardul Narendra Thakur
- Date of Birth: October 16, 1991
- Birthplace: Palghar, Maharashtra, India
- Batting Style: Right-handed
- Bowling Style: Right-arm medium-fast
- Role: Bowling All-rounder
- Teams: India, Mumbai (Domestic), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Delhi Capitals
- International Debut: 2017 (ODI)
Early Career and Domestic Journey
Hailing from Maharashtra, Shardul Thakur started his cricket journey with Mumbai in the domestic circuit. Despite initial concerns about his height for a fast bowler, he consistently impressed with his wicket-taking ability. He gained prominence in the Ranji Trophy, where he helped Mumbai win the title in 2015-16, finishing as one of the top wicket-takers.
His domestic success earned him a call-up to the Indian national side, and he has since become an impactful bowler with the knack for breaking partnerships.
International Career
Shardul made his ODI debut in 2017, and over the years, he has been utilized in different roles—whether as a strike bowler, a death-over specialist, or even a lower-order run-scorer.
He was particularly instrumental in India’s Test series win in Australia (2020-21) and England (2021), where his unexpected contributions with both bat and ball earned him hero status.
Shardul Thakur International Stats (As of 2025)
Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Runs | 50s |
Test | 12+ | 30+ | 7/61 | 400+ | 3 |
ODI | 45+ | 65+ | 4/37 | 250+ | 1 |
T20I | 25+ | 35+ | 4/27 | 100+ | 0 |
He has proven to be a match-winner with his swing bowling and fearless batting in lower-order positions.
IPL Career
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Shardul Thakur has been a key performer for multiple franchises including Rising Pune Supergiant, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
His time with CSK was the most fruitful, where he became MS Dhoni’s go-to bowler in pressure situations. In the 2021 season, he played a crucial role in CSK’s title-winning campaign, finishing as their highest wicket-taker.
IPL Stats (As of 2025)
Team | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
CSK / DC / KKR | 80+ | 90+ | 4/36 | 8.80 |
Shardul’s high-energy performances and “never say die” spirit have made him a fan favorite in the IPL.
Nickname – “Lord Shardul”
The nickname “Lord Shardul” originated on social media due to his unexpected but match-defining performances. Whether it was scoring quick-fire 50s in Test matches or taking key wickets against the run of play, his ability to punch above expectations earned him cult status among Indian cricket fans.
Strengths and Playing Style
- Swing bowler who can generate movement even on flat tracks
- Trusted death-over bowler in white-ball cricket
- Can contribute 30–40 quick runs when needed
- Thrives under pressure and has a strong fighting spirit
Key Achievements
- Match-winning 67 & 7 wickets in Oval Test (2021)
- India’s highest wicket-taker in IPL 2021 for CSK
- Played a vital role in India’s series win in Australia 2020–21
- Multiple Player of the Match awards in crucial international and IPL games
Recent Developments
As of 2025, Shardul Thakur continues to be a valuable squad member in India’s ODI setup and a backup option in Tests. With his all-round capabilities, he remains in contention for India’s ICC tournament squads and continues to shine in the IPL.
Latest News & Updates on Shardul Thakur
Get the latest Shardul Thakur news, match updates, injury reports, IPL highlights, and performance analysis only on TheCricketScores.com. Whether he’s breaking partnerships or turning the game with the bat, we bring you closer to Lord Shardul’s journey.