Key Points
Shardul Thakur took 4/34 after IPL auction snub
Uthappa baffled by Thakur going unsold
LSG beat SRH by 5 wickets
Pooran-Marsh partnership steers Lucknow to victory
Shardul fought back against all odds and delivered his best-ever figures in the league during his side's win over SRH at Uppal Stadium, Hyderabad on Thursday. Joining the team as a replacement for Mohsin Khan, the 'Palghar Express' demolished SRH right at the start of his spell of 4/34, picking up wickets of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan.
"They say all's well that ends well, and right now, Shardul epitomizes that. He was unlucky in the auctions--he should have been picked and at a good price. But the dynamics of the auctions are unpredictable, and for some reason, he went unsold. I still find it baffling. However, he took it on the chin, went back to first-class cricket, and performed exceptionally well. To now come into the IPL and start in this fashion is just incredible," Jiostar expert Robin said.
"Even in the previous game (against Delhi Capitals), he showed that while he might concede a few runs, he always finds a way to produce breakthroughs. When he does not get wickets, he might seem expensive, but when he does, he is top-notch. I felt he should have bowled more in the first game, where he only got two overs. This time, I'm glad he completed his full quota of four," he added.
Coming to the match, SRH was put to bat first by LSG, who had opted to bowl first. Shardul restricted LSG to 15/2, but a 61-run partnership between Travis Head (47 in 28 balls, with five fours and a six) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (32 in 28 balls, with two fours) stabilised the innings for a bit. Cameos did come from Heinrich Klaasen (26 in 17 balls, with two fours and a six), Aniket Varma (36 in 13 balls, with five sixes) and skipper Pat Cummins (18 in four balls, with three sixes), which pushed SRH to 190/9 in their 20 overs.
During the run-chase, LSG lost Aiden Markram early, but a 116-run stand between Nicholas Pooran (70 in 26 balls, with six fours and six sixes) and Mitchell Marsh (52 in 31 balls, with seven fours and two sixes) and a fine cameo in the end from Abdul Samad (22* in eight balls, with two fours and two sixes) pushed LSG to a five-wicket win with 23 balls left. Pat (2/29) was the top bowler for SRH.
Shardul was named the 'Player of the Match' for his fiery spell.
Comments:
Rahul K.
Shardul always proves his critics wrong! This is why experience matters in T20 cricket. Hope teams don't overlook him again next auction.
Priya M.
Uthappa is spot on - the auction dynamics can be so unfair sometimes 😤 Thrilled to see Shardul silencing doubters with that fiery spell!
Vikram S.
While I'm happy for Shardul, LSG's batting was the real star. Pooran's 70 off 26 balls was absolute carnage! 🔥
Anjali T.
Honestly surprised teams didn't bid for him. He's been India's crisis man in Tests, and now showing his white-ball skills. Auction committees need better scouts!
Sanjay P.
Great comeback story but let's not forget he was expensive in the first game. Consistency is what separates good players from great ones.
