LSG vs SRH: Shardul Thakur shines after early setbacks, reveals emotional journey

Shardul Thakur, who went unsold in the IPL auction, has been a game changer for Lucknow. Lucknow acquired him at the eleventh hour in Mohsin Khan's place. After taking two wickets in the opening match, Shardul Thakur caused devastation in the second match and put a restriction of 200 runs on a side like Sunrisers Hyderabad, the consequence of which was LSG defeating SRH by 5 wickets.

Shardul bowled out Sharma with a short ball

Let us inform you that the LSG skipper Rishabh Pant opted to bowl first after winning the toss, when Pant was requested how many runs you want to chase, replied that it is not important whatever runs are available on the scoreboard. Bowl first, coming out, Shardul provided an excellent beginning to LSG and in the second of his overs, Abhishek Sharma and last match sensation Ishan Kishan were out to settle the opposition team. Shardul bowled out Sharma with a short ball and caught Ishan Kishan on a silky ball on the leg side.

What did Shardul say?

After the innings got over, Shardul Thakur freely expressed not being picked by any franchise in the IPL 2025 mega auction. It was not a good day for me during the auction. LSG was the first to come to me due to injuries to their bowlers, so it was always on the cards. I had to take it with Zaheer Khan. There has to be ups and downs in cricket. I believe winning for me is significant in the game. I am not focusing on wickets and runs. I wish to play a match-winning game and do something that is impactful. Batsmen are dominating the bowlers, then why not bowlers dominate them, that was our strategy in the game against SRH. They are putting up big scores on flat decks. It went in our favour initially.

Head gets life twice

Head targeted LSG bowler Avesh Khan and scored rapid runs. The Australian player made 18 runs in the fourth over with two sixes and a four. Head was, however, fortunate as he received two lives. Head played Ravi Bishnoi's first ball in the air and Pooran, who was at long-on, had sufficient time to get under the ball and take an easy catch, but the West Indies player knocked it down. The chance went amiss and cost them dearly as Head hammered Bishnoi's delivery over the covers for a six. Bishnoi again had the opportunity to get Head's wicket on the fifth ball of the sixth over but he missed a tough return catch. But luck finally deserted Head when pacer Prince Yadav disturbed his rhythm and claimed his first IPL wicket.

Klaasen was dismissed in a peculiar manner

Heinrich Klaasen appeared ominous but was awkwardly sent back by Yadav who ran him out on his own ball, as Nitish Reddy's straight ball ricocheted off the bowlers' follow-through and went to the sump. Youngster Aniket Verma made 36 runs off 13 balls with the assistance of five sixes but was caught by David Miller off leg-spinner Divesh Rathi. SRH skipper Pat Cummins hammered three sixes in his initial three balls before getting out.