Lucknow Super Giants set a stiff target of 210 for the Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2025 season opener at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Vishakhapatnam on the back of blistering half-centuries from Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran. Nevertheless, the target looked more than attainable given the visitors were missing four of their first-choice pacers on a batting paradise with nothing in it for the bowlers. That is until Shardul Thakur had his say in proceedings.
The all-rounder had joined the team camp during the weekend after being roped in as an injury replacement for Mohsin Khan, forcing the veteran to abandon his stint with Essex in the County Championship. Shardul’s powerplay numbers before the game began made for poor reading with an economy bordering on nine and the average 35-plus but the 33-year-old hsa never been fettered by numbers and this occassion was no different. After conceding two singles in as many balls to begin, Shardul found swing for the first time on the night with his third delivery as he shaped a fuller one away from the dangerous Jake-Fraser McGurk. The Australian went for a trademark big heave but failed to get enough of a connection and the Kookaburra travelled straight down the throat of Ayush Badoni at long-off. Shardul was ecstatic but the job was not yet done. Abhishek Porel walked in next only to be met with a perfect inswinging yorker first up and even though he managed to fend it off, little did the Bengal batter know it was just a set-up for what was to come. Shardul swung the next one away from the youngster, luring him into a shot similar to JFM’s, and much like then the ball lobbed up in the air before a backpedalling Nicholas Pooran grabbed a sitter at midoff.
Twitterati, as always, was quick to file their apologies for yet again understimating the power of the Lord.
Time for Redemption!
wha a comeback!
🚨 SHARDUL THAKUR STRIKES! JFM GONE FOR JUST 1! 🔥🔥
LSG off to a flying start! Early pressure on DC!
🏏 Shardul doing what he does best—BIG wickets! ⚡
LSG fans: “Lord Thakur delivering early magic! 👑🔥”
DC fans: “Long chase ahead, need stability! 😬”
#DCvsLSG #DCvLSG #IPL— GTO (@AniAni69400091) March 24, 2025
“Two wickets in an over” Shardul Thakur is back!!!!#IPL2025 #DCvsLSG
— Crystal Daniel (@crystal_d217) March 24, 2025
What a delivery!
Another wicket by Lord all hail down to shardul Thakur
— Raunak (@ShrijanRai1) March 24, 2025
Thakur!
Shardul thakur
Unsold in auction
Drafted in as last minute replacement for Mohsin
Gets 2 wickets in first over
Lord for a reason 🔥🔥#IPL2025 #IPLOnJioStar— Ayush Raina (@naughty1genius) March 24, 2025
Shardul Thakur takes two Wickets in First Over…..!!!!!
– Jake Fraser McGrath Dismissed on 1 Runs.
– Abhishek Porel Dismissed on Duck. pic.twitter.com/na2JAjC6lE— Vikas Yadav (@VikasYadav66200) March 24, 2025
Yeah!
There’s something about Shardul Thakur. You can’t deny.
— Yash K (@YashasweeKarmi) March 24, 2025
Thakur!
SHARDUL STRIKES EARLY! ⚡
Shardul Thakur gets the big wicket of JFM! Delhi loses an early one—DC 2/1. LSG off to a strong start! 🔥#LSGvsDC #IPL2024 #lsgvdc pic.twitter.com/rm12w45nnX— Crick45 (@Googlyfacts45) March 24, 2025
LORD SHARDUL THAKUR HAS ARRIVED IN IPL 2025. WHAT A REDEMPTION AFTER GETTING USOLD. pic.twitter.com/9stVfdTxft
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) March 24, 2025
DDDD
Remember the name .
Lord shardul thakur ☝🏽— Mr Tomar 🇮🇳🪷 (@yogiicdharma) March 24, 2025
