MUMBAI: The story of Shardul Thakur’s cricketing journey is one of resilience and tenacity. On the night of November 25, 2024, the cricketing world watched in disbelief as the ‘Palghar Express,’ with an impressive tally of 83 international matches for India, went unsold at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. The blow was particularly hard for the 33-year-old, who had only recently been omitted from India’s squad for the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, especially considering his pivotal role in India’s historic victory at the Gabba in 2021, where he scored a match-winning 67 and took a stunning seven-wicket haul (7/69).
India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, during a pre-tour press conference, announced a shift in focus toward younger talents, notably mentioning 21-year-old all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy as a future star. This statement, however, did not deter Thakur. Fresh off an ankle surgery, he showcased his determination by excelling in the Ranji Trophy, securing 35 wickets in nine matches at an average of 22.62, and scoring 505 runs at 42.08, including a century and four half-centuries.
With the IPL seemingly out of reach, Thakur signed with Essex for the English summer, aiming to enhance his prospects for India’s upcoming tour to England. ‘He’s not someone who sulks at home. He knew county cricket would aid his chances if selected for the England tour. He’s been rigorous with his game and fitness,’ said his childhood coach, Dinesh Lad.
A twist of fate arrived when Zaheer Khan, mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), reached out to Thakur. With LSG’s left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan sidelined due to injury, Thakur was signed at his base price of Rs 2 crore. The move has proven spectacular, turning the tables for Thakur, who went from being unsold to becoming the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker with six wickets in just two matches.
Reflecting on the rapid turn of events, Thakur said, ‘Zaheer called me during the Ranji Trophy and advised me to stay ready as a potential replacement.’ This call seemed prophetic after Thakur delivered a remarkable 4/34 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on a flat pitch, followed by an equally impressive 2/19 in just two overs against the Delhi Capitals. ‘He has bowled superbly whenever he has come on. I was shocked he only bowled two overs in the first match but took two wickets,’ Lad remarked.
Thakur’s journey has been closely observed by his wife, Mittali Parulkar, whom he married on February 27, 2024. ‘When he wasn’t picked at the IPL auction, he was disheartened for a day or two, but then he moved on. Just before that, he wasn’t selected for Australia and was recovering from surgery. But he took it in his stride,’ Parulkar shared with The Times of India.
Shardul Thakur’s comeback story from unsold to unstoppable in IPL 2025 underscores the unpredictable yet rewarding nature of cricket, showcasing his indomitable spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence both on and off the field.