During the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur went unsold, leaving many cricket enthusiasts and experts stunned. The 33-year-old, who had been a vital member of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2024 edition, entered the auction with a base price of INR 2 crore but failed to attract any bids. However, Thakur’s resolve remained unshaken, and he soon bounced back in emphatic style with an exceptional bowling performance in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024.
Shardul Thakur shines with a stellar bowling performance for Mumbai
In the Group E match of SMAT 2024 between Mumbai and Services, Thakur reminded everyone of his immense skill and potential. Taking the ball in a high-pressure situation, Thakur delivered a spellbinding performance, finishing with remarkable figures of 4 wickets for just 25 runs in his four overs. His economy rate of 6.20 was impressive, especially given the competitive nature of T20 cricket. Thakur’s magical spell dismantled the Services batting lineup, as he dismissed the top four batters, putting his team on a firm path to victory. His contributions played a key role in Mumbai’s comfortable 39-run win, which has elevated their position in the Group E points table.
Here’s the video:
𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑳𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒖𝒍 𝒃𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒔, 𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 🫶
Keep watching #IDFCFirstBankSyedMushtaqAliTrophy on #JioCinema and #Sports18Khel! 👈#ShardulThakur #JioCinemaSports #SMAT pic.twitter.com/1oHSvyGrBR
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) December 3, 2024
Additionally, Mumbai has had a solid start to their SMAT 2024 campaign, having played five matches so far. Currently sitting in 3rd place on the Group E points table, the team has had a good run, losing just one match to Kerala. Thakur has been pivotal in Mumbai’s success, consistently delivering match-winning performances with the ball. In the five matches he has played so far, Thakur has never gone wicketless. His tournament tally now stands at 11 wickets, with standout performances including a three-wicket haul against Nagaland on December 1. Such displays underline his reliability and ability to deliver under pressure.
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Future prospects: A message to IPL franchises
Despite his undeniable talent and proven abilities in domestic cricket, Thakur’s unsold status at the IPL 2025 auction raised questions among fans and cricket analysts alike. His recent performances in SMAT 2024 are likely to serve as a reminder to IPL franchises of his potential and value as an all-rounder. Thakur’s versatility, experience, and leadership qualities make him a valuable asset in any T20 setup. It is hoped that the IPL selectors will take note of his incredible performances and ensure that Thakur gets the recognition and opportunities he truly deserves in future IPL auctions.
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