Shardul Thakur Gets Emotional After Ranji Trophy Heroics, Wants to Play During IPL

Published on: February 11, 2025

Shardul Thakur Gets Emotional After Ranji Trophy Heroics, Wants to Play During IPL

Shardul Thakur’s Redemption Arc: Stellar Ranji Trophy Performance and Future Plans

Mumbai’s seasoned all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been making headlines with his performances in domestic cricket, proving his worth after facing multiple setbacks. Having been left out of India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and remaining unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction, Thakur has responded in the best way possible—by delivering consistent performances in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25.

The 33-year-old showcased his class once again in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Haryana, where he claimed a six-wicket haul, strengthening his case for national selection. With the India tour of England 2025 set to mark the beginning of India’s next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, Thakur remains hopeful of a return to the Indian Test side. Meanwhile, after going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, he has expressed interest in playing County cricket in England.

Shardul Thakur’s Standout Performance in Ranji Trophy 2024-25

Thakur has been in phenomenal form in the domestic circuit this season, excelling with both bat and ball. His most recent performance came in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Haryana, where he picked up six crucial wickets, ensuring Mumbai gained the upper hand.

Match Summary: Mumbai vs Haryana (Ranji Trophy Quarterfinal, 2024-25)

• Mumbai’s First Innings: 315 (Shams Mulani 90, Tanush Kotian 90)
• Haryana’s First Innings: 301 (Shardul Thakur 6 wickets)
• Mumbai’s Second Innings (End of Day 3): 278/4 (Ajinkya Rahane, Suryakumar Yadav score fifties)
• Lead: Mumbai ahead by 292 runs

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Thakur’s spell dismantled Haryana’s batting lineup, ensuring Mumbai stayed in control of the match. His ability to swing the ball and extract bounce from the surface made life difficult for the opposition batters.

His efforts in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season have been remarkable, with 30 wickets to his name. Not just a bowler, Thakur has also been a valuable asset with the bat, having scored 396 runs from nine innings at an average of 44, including a century and three half-centuries. His performances have been a key factor in Mumbai’s dominance this season.

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Selection Snub and Disappointment

Despite these impressive performances, Thakur has found himself on the outskirts of the Indian team. He last played for India before suffering an injury, and since then, he has struggled to make a comeback into the national setup. His exclusion from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 was a major disappointment, especially given his past contributions in red-ball cricket.

Coach Gautam Gambhir’s Preference for Youth

India’s newly appointed head coach, Gautam Gambhir, did not entirely rule out Thakur but instead backed the young Nitish Kumar Reddy for a similar all-rounder role in Australia. While Reddy showcased promise with the bat, his bowling lacked the impact expected from a frontline seam-bowling all-rounder.

Thakur, on the other hand, has consistently performed in domestic cricket, and with his ability to contribute with both bat and ball, he remains a strong contender for a Test comeback.

Thakur’s Response to Selection Snub

Speaking after his match-winning performance in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal, Thakur admitted that not making the Test squad was disappointing, but he remains focused on playing well and letting his performances do the talking.

“When there’s no place in the team, there’s naturally disappointment. And when you’re not playing, sitting idle at home, you tend to think about it more,” said Thakur after Day 3’s play, as quoted by PTI.

However, Thakur emphasized that once he steps onto the field, his entire focus is on the match at hand.

“Once I step onto the field, my entire focus is on the match—whether it’s club cricket, Ranji Trophy, IPL, or playing for India. To me, every cricket match is the same, regardless of the level. I always aim to give my best in whichever game I play. I don’t have any other thoughts.”His never-say-die attitude is evident in his performances, as he continues to put up match-winning displays despite facing setbacks at the national level.

A Strong Case for Test Selection

With India’s England tour 2025 approaching, Thakur believes he is firmly in contention for selection. His past experiences in English conditions, including his crucial performances in the 2021 Test series in England, make him a valuable option for the Indian squad.

“Yes, absolutely. I believe I’m in contention. The next step is to make my place in the team and earn selection. That’s always the goal,” he stated.

Thakur also expressed that international cricket remains his ultimate ambition, and he is constantly driven by the motivation to represent India at the highest level.

“Right now, I’m playing at the Ranji Trophy level. International cricket is the highest level we all strive for. It’s always on my mind. The motivation to play for the country drives me forward. That passion, that fire, never fades.”

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Given his all-round abilities, Thakur could be a strong asset for India, particularly in overseas conditions where his swing bowling and lower-order batting can prove invaluable.

Thakur Eyes County Cricket During IPL 2025

One of the biggest setbacks for Thakur last year was going unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction. Given his experience and previous IPL performances, it was surprising that no franchise bid for him. However, Thakur is determined to use this period wisely and is considering playing County cricket in England to prepare for the England tour.

“If I get an offer, I’ll definitely play. It would be a great new experience. Right now, there are no concrete plans, but county cricket has 6-7 matches around that time. If selected, it will help me adjust to English conditions before the (England) tour,” Thakur said.

Playing in County cricket would not only give him much-needed match practice but also help him adapt to English pitches, which are often seam-friendly—conditions where his skills can be highly effective.

Mumbai in the Driver’s Seat in Ranji Trophy

Meanwhile, Mumbai, the 42-time Ranji Trophy champions, are firmly in control of their quarterfinal match against Haryana.

Day 3 Summary:

• Mumbai scored 315 in their first innings, thanks to 90s from Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian.
• Haryana managed 301 in response, largely due to Thakur’s six-wicket haul.
• In the second innings, Mumbai posted 278/4 by the end of Day 3, with Ajinkya Rahane and Suryakumar Yadav scoring half-centuries.
• Lead: Mumbai ahead by 292 runs, putting them in a dominant position to advance to the semifinals.

What’s Next for Shardul Thakur?

Despite facing setbacks in national selection and IPL auctions, Shardul Thakur is proving his resilience and hunger to play at the highest level. His Ranji Trophy form has been outstanding, and if he gets a County contract, it will further strengthen his chances for a Test recall ahead of the England tour.

With the India tour of England 2025 a few months away, Thakur remains hopeful of making a return to red-ball cricket. If he continues his stellar domestic form, the selectors may find it hard to overlook him for long.

For now, his focus remains on taking Mumbai to another Ranji Trophy title, while keeping his Test dreams alive.