A notable development in Shardul Thakur’s career batting statistics emerged in the 2024 Ranji Trophy semi-final match between Tamil Nadu and Bandra-Kurla Complex Stadium: his Test batting average of 19.47 was higher than his first-class average of 16.97, which was 16.48. Outside test cricket.
Thakur made an immediate impact by becoming the first bowler to dismiss Sai Sudarshan on the fourth ball of the match. Subsequently, he got the crucial wicket of Vijay Shankar, who top-scored with 44 for Tamil Nadu out of their total of 146 runs. Thakur finished his bowling season with a record of 2-48. (Ranji Trophy 2024 semi-finals: Everything you need to know, including venue, live streaming information and more)
Mumbai started the first day at 45-2 before stumps and by the morning their score was 91-3. But when Tamil Nadu captain Sai Kishore wreaked havoc on their middle order and took five wickets, Mumbai’s fortunes ran out and the score ended at 106-7.
Amidst the chaos, Thakur teamed up with wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore and they took the score to 125-7 before noon. Thakur showed his skills with his bat and attacked the Tamil Nadu bowlers. Tamore scored 35, but his half-century came in just 58 balls as they controlled the 105-run partnership. (IPL 2024: Another captain like Rohit Sharma may lose leadership role – report)
Thakur performed victoriously and completed his century in spectacular fashion by hitting an inside-out six off left-arm spinner Ajit Ram. His excitement was evident as he dropped his gloves and bat, celebrated by punching the air and then expertly paddle-swiped the next ball for four runs. He achieved this amazing feat in just 89 balls after tea, which is a remarkable pinnacle of his cricket career. After Thakur scored his maiden first-class century – and that too in a crucial Ranji Trophy semi-final – fans went crazy on social media.
