Former Indian captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, suffered a surprise exit in the match against Punjab Kings when Harshal Patel caught him off guard with a slower ball that knocked his off-stump. Dhoni came in after Shardul Thakur's dismissal for a quickfire 17 but failed to make an impact and was dismissed for 0. Patel ended with an impressive 3 wickets, giving away just 24 runs in his 4 overs, making him the second-best bowler for Punjab Kings after Rahul Chahar. Some experts have questioned the Chennai franchise's decision to send Dhoni down the batting order, stating that he could have been more impactful if he had been promoted earlier.
Shardul Thakur is an Indian cricketer who plays for the national team in all formats. He has played a pivotal role in India's recent successes, particularly in limited-overs cricket.
Early Career
Thakur was born in Palghar, Maharashtra, on October 16, 1991. He started playing cricket at a young age and made his first-class debut for Mumbai in the 2012-13 season. He quickly impressed with his all-round abilities, scoring heavily and taking wickets regularly.
Indian Debut
Thakur made his international debut for India in a One-Day International (ODI) against Zimbabwe in 2017. He made an immediate impact, taking two wickets in his first match. He also performed well in the Test series that followed, helping India to a clean sweep victory.
Rise to Prominence
Thakur's breakthrough came in the 2019 Cricket World Cup. He was initially not in the squad, but was called up as an injury replacement. He responded with some impressive performances, taking wickets at crucial moments. He was particularly effective in the semi-final against New Zealand, where he dismissed key batsmen Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson.
Current Form
Thakur has continued to impress since the World Cup. He has been a regular member of the Indian team in all formats and has taken some important wickets. He was also part of the Indian team that won the inaugural ICC World Test Championship in 2021.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is Shardul Thakur's bowling style? Shardul Thakur is a medium-fast bowler who bowls right-arm. He is known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and generate good pace.
2. What is Thakur's best performance in international cricket? Thakur's best performance in international cricket came in the 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. He took three wickets for 37 runs, including the crucial dismissals of Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson.
3. What other teams has Thakur played for? In addition to India, Thakur has also played for the Mumbai Indians, Rising Pune Supergiant, and Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
4. What are Thakur's strengths as a cricketer? Thakur's strengths as a cricketer include his ability to swing the ball, generate pace, and take wickets. He is also a useful batsman who can contribute valuable runs down the order.
5. What are Thakur's weaknesses as a cricketer? Thakur's weaknesses as a cricketer include his tendency to be expensive at times and his lack of control over his length.
With both teams in need of a victory, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain face off in a highly anticipated matchup in the UEFA Champions League. Despite their recent success, Bayern will be looking for revenge after being knocked out of the competition by PSG in previous years. However, PSG will be determined to prove their worth and secure a crucial win on the road against the formidable German side. With star players and intriguing tactical decisions, this is a must-watch match for any football fan.
West Indies dominated Bangladesh in the first Test to secure a resounding victory by 201 runs. The match ended quickly on the final day as Alzarri Joseph's exceptional performance with the ball led to Bangladesh losing their last three wickets. Despite a valiant half-century by Jaker Ali and a solid performance from Taskin Ahmed, the rest of the Bangladesh batsmen failed to make a significant impact, completeing an overall disappointing performance for the team. West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite applauded his team's hard work and learning from their previous tour, while expressing the importance of continuous improvement in Test cricket.
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The Tamil Thalaivas face off against the UP Yoddhas in a crucial Pro Kabaddi League match. While Tamil Thalaivas have faced a dip in form due to poor performances from key raiders Sachin Tanwar and Narender Kandola, UP Yoddhas have found success with the duo of Bhavani Rajpoot and Bharat Hooda. This clash will be a test for both teams to see if they can turn their fortunes around in the PKL Season 11.
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In a thrilling second one-day international match against Zimbabwe, newcomer Saim Ayub delivered a stunning performance, scoring his first ODI century in just 53 balls. His unbeaten 113, which included 17 fours and three sixes, helped Pakistan chase down the target of 148 runs in just 18.2 overs. With this win, the series is now tied at 1-1 and fans can look forward to a nail-biting decider match on Thursday.
With the highly anticipated match between FC Barcelona and Stade Brestois 29 approaching, we delve into the story of how this small port city club rose to compete in the top ranks of French football. From its rich maritime history to its slow and determined rebuild, Brest has defied all odds to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in its history. Don't miss this thrilling clash of two teams who have never met before.
Despite his successful track record in domestic cricket, Sarfaraz Khan was left disappointed when he failed to attract any bids from IPL teams during the 2025 mega auction. However, luck came knocking for the Khan family when Punjab Kings acquired Sarfaraz's younger brother Musheer for just ₹30 lakh. Although Musheer has been out of action due to an injury, he has a strong performance record in the first-class format and is expected to bring value to the Punjab Kings in the upcoming IPL season.