Shardul Thakur
Role: Bowler
DOB: 16 October 1991
IPL Team (2026): Chennai Super Kings (Retained)
Base Price: ₹4.00 Crore (Last Auction Value)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 111 | 39 | 11 | 464 | 68 | 16.57 | 258 | 179.84 | 0 | 1 | 33 | 17 | 27 |
| 2026 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 15 | 10.00 | 15 | 133.33 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 45 | 25 | 22.50 | 30 | 150.00 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2.00 | 2 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 113 | 68 | 14.12 | 76 | 148.68 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 3 |
| 2022 | 14 | 10 | 1 | 120 | 32 | 13.33 | 87 | 137.93 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 5 | 5 |
| 2021 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 29 | 18* | 14.50 | 21 | 138.09 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 2020 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2019 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1* | 1.00 | 1 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2018 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 34 | 15* | 11.33 | 24 | 141.66 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| 2017 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0* | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | – | 0 | 0* | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 111 | 2190 | 3375 | 106 | 4/36 | 31.84 | 9.24 | 20.66 | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 7 | 120 | 200 | 5 | 2/25 | 40.00 | 10.00 | 24.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 180 | 280 | 8 | 2/30 | 35.00 | 9.33 | 22.50 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 9 | 162 | 264 | 5 | 2/29 | 52.80 | 9.77 | 32.40 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 11 | 216 | 377 | 7 | 2/15 | 53.85 | 10.47 | 30.85 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 294 | 480 | 15 | 4/36 | 32.00 | 9.79 | 19.60 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 16 | 324 | 476 | 21 | 3/28 | 22.66 | 8.81 | 15.42 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 9 | 186 | 265 | 10 | 2/28 | 26.50 | 8.54 | 18.60 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 10 | 180 | 260 | 8 | 3/38 | 32.50 | 8.66 | 22.50 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 13 | 270 | 415 | 16 | 2/18 | 25.93 | 9.22 | 16.87 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 12 | 246 | 344 | 11 | 3/19 | 31.27 | 8.39 | 22.36 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 | 12 | 15 | 0 | 0/15 | – | 7.50 | – | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Shardul Thakur
From the bustling streets of Palghar, Maharashtra, emerged a cricketer with a knack for the dramatic – Shardul Thakur. Affectionately known as ‘Lord Thakur’ by fans and teammates alike, Shardul’s journey to IPL stardom is a testament to perseverance and a unique ability to deliver when it matters most. A right-arm medium-fast bowler, Shardul isn’t about raw pace; his strength lies in his variations, subtle changes of pace, and a deceptive knuckleball that often leaves batsmen flummoxed. He honed his skills in Mumbai’s competitive domestic circuit, catching the eye with his ability to pick up crucial wickets, even if it meant going for a few runs.
Thakur’s IPL debut came in 2015 with Kings XI Punjab, but it was his stint with Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017 that truly put him on the map, where he played a significant role in their run to the final. His breakthrough, however, arrived in the yellow of Chennai Super Kings. Under MS Dhoni’s astute captaincy, Shardul blossomed, becoming a go-to bowler in the middle and death overs. He might concede boundaries, but he also has an uncanny habit of breaking partnerships and snaring wickets at critical junctures, a trait that has endeared him to captains and fans.
Beyond his bowling, Shardul has evolved into a genuinely handy lower-order batsman. His aggressive, fearless approach with the bat has often provided vital impetus to his teams, turning potential sub-par scores into competitive totals. His memorable 68 off 29 balls for KKR in 2023 against RCB, where he single-handedly changed the momentum, cemented his reputation as a genuine all-rounder. This dual threat, combined with his infectious energy on the field, makes Shardul a complete package and a fan favourite.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Shardul Thakur’s IPL career has been a colourful tapestry woven across multiple franchises, each stint adding a new dimension to his ‘Lord’ persona.
- Kings XI Punjab (2014-2016): Thakur was first picked by KXIP in 2014. He made his IPL debut in 2015, playing just one match and going wicketless. His initial years were a learning curve, primarily warming the bench.
- Rising Pune Supergiant (2017): Traded to RPS, Shardul found more opportunities. He played 12 matches, picking up 11 wickets at an economy of 8.39, playing a crucial role in RPS’s journey to the final. This season was vital in showcasing his potential.
- Chennai Super Kings (2018-2021): This was Shardul’s golden period. CSK bought him for ₹2.6 Crore in the 2018 auction. He became an integral part of their bowling attack, contributing significantly to their title wins in 2018 and 2021. His 2021 season was particularly stellar, where he bagged 21 wickets, becoming CSK’s leading wicket-taker that year.
- Delhi Capitals (2022): In the mega-auction of 2022, Shardul was a hot commodity, snapped up by Delhi Capitals for a whopping ₹10.75 Crore. He had a decent all-round season, picking up 15 wickets and scoring 120 runs, including a crucial 32 against PBKS.
- Kolkata Knight Riders (2023): Ahead of the 2023 season, DC traded Shardul to KKR. While his bowling was less impactful (7 wickets in 11 matches at an economy over 10), he delivered a sensational batting performance, smashing 68 off 29 balls against RCB, proving his worth as a game-changer with the bat.
- Chennai Super Kings (2024-2026): CSK re-acquired Shardul for ₹4.00 Crore in the 2024 auction, bringing him back to his spiritual IPL home. He continued to be a part of their setup in 2025 and 2026, retained for his experience and ability to provide breakthroughs, even if his economy remained on the higher side.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
Shardul Thakur is a fascinating player from a betting standpoint, offering unique opportunities for astute punters. His primary strength lies in his uncanny ability to pick up wickets, often against the run of play. He might be expensive (career IPL economy over 9.20), but he has a knack for breaking partnerships, making him a strong candidate for ‘Most Wickets for Team’ or ‘Player to Take X Wickets’ prop bets, especially in the middle and death overs. His variations, particularly the knuckleball, are potent wicket-taking deliveries.
For bettors, consider Shardul when:
- Pitch Conditions: On pitches with some grip or uneven bounce, his cutters and slower balls become more effective. Avoid betting on him for low economy rates on flat, batting-friendly tracks.
- Match Situation: He thrives under pressure. If a team needs a wicket, Shardul often steps up. Bet on him in scenarios where teams are chasing big totals and batsmen are looking to accelerate, as this increases his wicket-taking chances, despite the risk of conceding runs.
- Batting Prop Bets: Don’t overlook his batting. With a career IPL strike rate approaching 180, Shardul can smash quick runs. Look for ‘Player to Score X Runs’ or ‘Player to Hit X Sixes’ bets if he’s batting at 7 or 8 and has a few overs to face. His 68 off 29 balls is a prime example of his destructive potential.
- Against Certain Matchups: He can trouble batsmen who struggle against subtle variations and don’t pick the slower ball well. Research specific matchups.
His weakness is his tendency to be expensive, particularly when batsmen target him. Betting against his economy rate might be profitable on small grounds or very flat pitches. However, his wicket-taking ability often outweighs his economy for his team, making him a valuable asset despite the runs conceded.
Key Records & Milestones
- 100+ IPL Wickets: Shardul Thakur crossed the significant milestone of 100 IPL wickets during the 2026 season, solidifying his place among the league’s top wicket-takers.
- Best Bowling Figures: His career-best IPL bowling figures are 4/36, achieved for Delhi Capitals against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2022.
- Highest Score: Recorded his highest IPL score of 68 runs off just 29 balls for KKR against RCB in 2023, an innings that included 9 fours and 3 sixes.
- Two-Time IPL Champion: Part of the Chennai Super Kings squad that lifted the IPL trophy in both 2018 and 2021, playing crucial roles in both campaigns.
- Consistent Wicket-Taker: Has picked up 10 or more wickets in five different IPL seasons (2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022), showcasing his consistency in breaking through opposition lineups.
IPL Season Highlights
2021 (Chennai Super Kings): This was arguably Shardul’s most impactful season. He finished as CSK’s highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets from 16 matches at an average of 22.66. His ability to pick up wickets in the middle overs was crucial to CSK’s title triumph. Memorable spells included 3/28 against RCB and 3/29 against PBKS, consistently providing breakthroughs when the team needed them most.
2018 (Chennai Super Kings): In CSK’s triumphant return season, Shardul played a pivotal role, bagging 16 wickets from 13 matches. He formed a potent pace attack alongside Dwayne Bravo, often delivering crucial spells in the powerplay and death overs. His 2/18 against SRH in a league game was a standout performance, helping CSK defend a modest total.
2023 (Kolkata Knight Riders): While his bowling numbers weren’t his best, Shardul delivered one of the most explosive batting performances of the season. Against Royal Challengers Bangalore, coming in at a precarious 89/5, he unleashed a stunning assault, smashing 68 runs off just 29 balls, including 9 fours and 3 sixes, propelling KKR to a massive total and earning him the Man of the Match award. This innings perfectly encapsulated his ‘Lord’ persona – unexpected, audacious, and game-changing.