NEW DELHI: Seasoned pacer Shardul Thakur showcased his brilliance with the ball, roaring back to form with a stunning four-wicket haul against Services in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
After Suryakumar Yadav (70 off 46 balls) and Shivam Dube (71 off 36 balls) sent Services bowlers to the cleaners to help Mumbai post a challenging 192/4, it was Shardul who piled on more misery on the opponents when they came for chase.
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Shardul redeemed himself after bowling the most expensive spell (1/69) in the tournament’s history, before bagging three wickets against Nagaland, and followed it up with another spectacular show with a four-wicket burst, conceding only 25 runs, in his quota of four overs.
Shardul’s brilliant spell, complemented by Shams Mulani’s three-wicket haul, powered Mumbai to a convincing 39-run victory.
The experienced pacer bowled with precision and aggression, dismantling the opposition’s batting line-up and setting the tone for a dominant performance by the Mumbai team. His spell, marked by sharp movement and clever variations, reaffirmed his value as a match-winner in white-ball cricket.
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Having previously represented Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals, Shardul went unsold in the recently concluded IPL 2025 mega auction.
However, his stellar performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which turned the game in his team’s favor, sent a strong message to franchises, highlighting his readiness to deliver impactful performances at the highest level.
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