Shardul Thakur’s Tumultuous IPL 2025: From Crucial Cameos to Playoff Heartbreak
Life in the IPL comes at you fast. Just ask Shardul Thakur. Picked up by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as a cover for the injured Mohsin Khan, Shardul quickly found himself at the center of attention in the 2025 season. Over nine matches, he scalped 12 wickets, swinging games with both ball and bat. The label ‘Lord Shardul’ isn't just a meme — it’s earned, slice by slice, under big-match pressure.
But cricket isn’t always a smooth ride, as everyone who follows Thakur knows too well. Despite his consistent showings, he faced the sting of exclusion on May 19, when LSG squared off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a must-win battle. The team management kept him out of the playing XI for tactical reasons. Watching from the sidelines, Thakur had to swallow his frustration as LSG’s campaign came to a screeching halt with SRH securing the win and ending Lucknow’s playoff hopes right there.
Zaheer Khan’s Words and the Roller-coaster Reality
What does a cricketer think during such highs and lows? Thakur has been pretty candid, often mentioning some straight talk he once got from Zaheer Khan, the legendary fast bowler. According to Shardul, Zaheer told him that ups and downs are just part of the ride — everyone gets their turn, but resilience separates the players who go the distance. Thakur often reminds himself of that advice when things go sideways, like not making the cut in do-or-die matches or when the scoreboard just won’t budge in his favor.
This season showcased both the peaks and valleys. Single-handedly rescuing LSG from tight spots with crucial wickets and handy runs, Shardul’s role went far beyond stat sheets. The pressure cooker environment of IPL often tests the nerves, and Thakur’s journey this year was a reminder that a player’s story is rarely just about the boundaries and wickets. It’s about how you weather setbacks.
LSG fans were left with plenty of what-ifs after their playoff dream fizzled out against Hyderabad. For Shardul, missing out on the biggest games just reopened old wounds. Still, if there’s anything his career proves, it’s that he always finds a way back. The ‘Lord’ might have been benched on the crucial night, but his fight continues, drawing strength from lessons passed on by the greats like Zaheer — and from the countless times he’s already bounced back.