Ranji Trophy: Shardul Thakur backs hat-trick with breathtaking 84
What's the story
Shardul Thakur is currently in the form of his life in the ongoing 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, where he is playing for Mumbai.
After registering a hat-trick on Day 1 of the ongoing game against Meghalaya, the all-rounder played a breathtaking knock.
He scored a stunning 42-ball 84 at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC in Mumbai (9 fours, 5 sixes).
In his last three innings, Thakur has scored two half-centuries and a century.
Batting prowess
Thakur's impressive batting in Ranji Trophy
Thakur's batting prowess has been on full display in the Ranji Trophy.
In the must-win match against Meghalaya, Thakur proved his mettle by scoring an explosive half-century, off just 30 balls.
He arrived at number eight and went after the bowlers from the outset. The dasher added 156 runs with Shams Mulani for the seventh wicket before departing.
His brilliance powered Mumbai past 650. Notably, Meghalaya were folded for 86 while batting first.
Hat-trick
Thakur's hat-trick stuns Meghalaya
Meanwhile, Thakur's hat-trick unfolded in the third over of the first innings.
He dismissed B Anirudh, Sumit Kumar, and Jaskirat on consecutive deliveries, all without scoring.
The pacer also managed to dismiss Meghalaya's opener Nishanta Chakravarty, taking his tally to four wickets in the innings.
Notably, Thakur is only the fifth bowler from Mumbai to record a hat-trick in Ranji Trophy history.
Stats
Thakur's FC stats in a brief
Thakur, who missed out on his third First-Class ton, is currently playing in his 90th FC match.
Across 124 innings, the all-rounder has raced to 2,368 runs while averaging just over 18.5, as per ESPNcricinfo.
He now owns two FC hundreds and 15 fifties. With the ball, he has taken 283 wickets at 28-plus.
Information
His numbers in ongoing season
In the ongoing Ranji Trophy campaign, Thakur has raced to 20 wickets. The one against Meghalaya was his 2nd four-wicket haul this season. In addition, he has also scored 381 runs, including a century and three half-centuries (eight matches).
Career journey
Thakur's IPL setback and Ranji Trophy comeback
Thakur suffered a major setback when he went unsold in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. However, he made a strong comeback in the Ranji Trophy matches.
Against Jammu and Kashmir, Thakur scored 51 runs in the first innings and 119 runs in the second innings.
Despite his efforts to save the match for his team, they couldn't secure victory.
Future prospects
Thakur's absence from Team India and potential return
Thakur last played a Test match for Team India in 2023 and hasn't returned to the team since.
He was injured for a while but is now fully fit. Despite his fitness, he wasn't picked for the T20 series against England or the Champions Trophy.
However, considering his current form in the Ranji Trophy, he could join an IPL team as a replacement player.