Shardul Thakur Shines: Smashes 73 Off 28 Balls in Vijay Hazare Trophy After Going Unsold in IPL 2025

Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur, often known for his ability to deliver in crunch situations, reminded everyone of his talent with a blistering 73* off just 28 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Nagaland. Despite being out of favor with the Indian team and going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, Thakur led from the front as Mumbai posted a colossal total of 403/7 at the Narendra Modi Stadium Ground A, Ahmedabad, on December 31, 2024.

Ayush Mhatre’s Stellar Knock Sets the Tone

Mumbai’s innings started with a bang, courtesy of a 156-run opening stand between Angkrish Raghuvanshi (56) and Ayush Mhatre. Mhatre was the star of the show with a stunning 181, hitting 15 fours and 11 sixes. His innings kept Mumbai in a commanding position, even as Nagaland tried to stage a comeback. However, Mhatre's performance comes as bittersweet, as the talented batter also went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction despite his impressive domestic form.

Shardul Thakur’s Explosive Finish

Mumbai seemed to falter after Mhatre’s dismissal in the 37th over, with the team quickly slipping from 268/3 to 290/6. Enter Shardul Thakur. Known for his ability to change the game, he smashed 8 sixes and 2 fours in his unbeaten knock, scoring 41 runs off the last 16 balls of the innings. His captaincy and explosive finish ensured Mumbai crossed the 400-run mark.

Mumbai’s Bowling Dominance

Nagaland’s chase started on a disastrous note as they were reduced to 40/5 in 13 overs. Shardul Thakur shone with the ball as well, picking up 2 of the first 5 wickets and further asserting his all-round prowess.

A Reminder of Shardul Thakur’s Capabilities

Despite his recent struggles to find a place in the Indian side and going unsold in IPL 2025, Shardul Thakur’s performance proves he’s far from done. His knock not only demonstrated his value as a finisher but also his leadership abilities under pressure.

What’s Next for Shardul Thakur?

While IPL franchises may have overlooked him, performances like this could bring him back into the reckoning. With Mumbai in a dominant position to win the match, this could mark the start of a strong comeback for Thakur, both in domestic cricket and possibly on the international stage.

Reference from:-https://thesportstak.com/cricket/story/after-going-unsold-in-ipl-2025-ex-csk-and-out-of-favour-india-star-smashes-blitz-73-off-just-28-balls-in-vijay-hazare-trophy-to-help-team-post-403-runs-3153427-2024-12-31