If there’s a category that defines an ‘impact player,’ Shardul Thakur undoubtedly fits the bill. Whether with the ball or the bat, he consistently ensures the opposition has a hard time. And even when he is going through a rough patch, his attitude remains unwavering: “The fun is when we make a comeback after that setback and perform.”
In Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy quarterfinal win over Haryana, Shardul was all over opposition batters, completing a match haul of nine for 84, including a six-for in the first innings. While his first innings returns set up the 14-run lead, his three for 26 in the second essay pushed Haryana out of the game.
One of the many factors used to judge the quality of a fast bowler is how often the pacer challenges both edges of the bat – something national selector Shiv Sunder Das must have noted while watching the game at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. On Tuesday, the 33-year-old used outswingers to set the right-handed batter up and then brought the ball back in or bowled the one that held its line. And it was those incoming deliveries that got him the three top-order wickets – of Ankit Kumar, Himanshu Rana, and Rohit Sharma – in his probing opening spell of 10 overs.
Mumbai’s captain Ajinkya Rahane, player of the match Shardul Thakur, teammates Suryakumar Yadav and others pose for a picture on the team’s victory against Haryana in the Quarterfinal 3 of Ranji Trophy Elite 2024-25, at Eden Gardens, in Kolkata on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
ANI
Mumbai’s captain Ajinkya Rahane, player of the match Shardul Thakur, teammates Suryakumar Yadav and others pose for a picture on the team’s victory against Haryana in the Quarterfinal 3 of Ranji Trophy Elite 2024-25, at Eden Gardens, in Kolkata on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
ANI
Shardul followed a similar strategy on Monday when he came in the morning session to pick five wickets. Another tactic that he applied was the use of surprise bouncers. He gave Jayant Yadav a wake-up call with one such delivery, aimed at the right shoulder, squaring him up in the air.
The seam-bowling all-rounder has had a memorable season so far. He has picked 33 wickets in 10 innings at an average of 18.81 – his best in a Ranji Trophy season when he has played at least five games. With the bat, he has never had a better season than this, scoring 402 runs at an average of 40.20 with the highest score of 119.
Yet, Shardul hasn’t been among the discussions in the Indian team. His last international appearance was in December 2023 during the Test tour of South Africa. His ordinary Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season with Chennai Super Kings also resulted in him failing to attract any bidder for the upcoming edition.
“I think whenever you are not selected, you are disappointed. When you are not playing or sitting idle at home, so naturally, you’ll think about it more,” Shardul said on the sidelines of the quarterfinal.
“The low effects every individual differently. How I see it is: whatever happened, has happened. If I think about it more, only I will get disappointed, and I might end up distracting myself from the game as well.”
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“So, whatever is in my control, I will do that. These things happen in professional cricket, and probably that’s what we are paid for. You go through highs, and then you also see a low period where you aren’t able to perform and get dropped,” he said.
The lack of a fourth fast bowler was one of the many reasons for India’s poor performance in Australia in January. While India did play Nitish Kumar Reddy in that role, he was hardly used, bowling just seven per cent of the balls the visiting team delivered throughout the entire five-match series. After a strong all-round performance with the red ball, Shardul might have given himself an opening to return as the fourth pacer.
“I would like to think I am in contention for the England tour. The important thing is to be in the team or make your place in the team. So I am always looking forward to this. Everyone wants to play at the highest level – that is always in the mind. The motivation and passion to play cricket for India is always there.”
With his cricketing calendar free after the Ranji Trophy season ends, Shardul has kept himself open for England’s County Championship contract to get accustomed to the conditions.
“If I get an offer, I will play. It will be a new experience for me. So far, there’s nothing planned. They have six or seven matches during that time, so if I get an opportunity, I’ll definitely play since the England tour is there after that. If I get selected, I’ll be in touch with the conditions.”
However, he doesn’t want to get too far ahead and wants to focus on the present – playing for Mumbai. “When I come to the ground, these thoughts don’t come to mind – about getting selected. Subconsciously, yes, I have to play at the international level, but it is not a primary thing. The primary thing is to be in the moment and think about my bowling and the match,” Shardul said.