Shardul Thakur Reflects on IPL 2025 Comeback with LSG: Zaheer Khan’s Key Role in His Return to the IPL

Zaheer Khan, the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), played a key role in Shardul Thakur’s return to the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025). After going unsold in the IPL 2024 auction, Thakur was preparing for a County Championship stint with Essex. But his plans changed when Zaheer Khan reached out to him as a possible injury replacement for Mohsin Khan at LSG.

From Unsold to Leading Wicket-Taker: Shardul’s IPL 2025 Journey

With a base price of Rs 2 crore, Shardul Thakur was not picked up by any team during the IPL 2024 auction. After this setback, he turned his attention to his upcoming County stint. However, his fortunes changed when Zaheer Khan reached out to him. As a potential injury replacement for Mohsin Khan, Thakur quickly became a part of the LSG squad.

Now, Shardul Thakur has emerged as the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2025, with six wickets from two matches, at an impressive average of 8.83. His match-winning performance of 4/34 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) earned him the Player of the Match award and the purple cap for the best bowler in the tournament.

Zaheer Khan’s Call That Changed Everything

Reflecting on his return to IPL action, Thakur credits Zaheer Khan’s guidance for getting him back into the IPL mindset. Thakur recalls, “I feel all these things keep happening in cricket. It was just one bad day in the auction, but LSG was the one who approached me first.”

Thakur shared that Zaheer Khan’s call during the Ranji Trophy knockouts was pivotal. Khan told him to keep his plans ready, and Thakur soon realized he would be a potential replacement player for LSG. “That was the day I started to get into the IPL mindset again, and the hopes came back,” he added.

Shardul Thakur’s Impact and Mindset in IPL 2025

Though Thakur was sidelined from IPL action for a brief period, his recent performances have shown that he is back in form. He reached the milestone of 100 wickets in IPL with his standout performance against SRH. Despite this personal achievement, Thakur remains focused on winning for his team.

“It’s always good to be on the score sheet, but winning the game is important for me. I’ll keep doing something or the other, that’s my attitude,” said Thakur.

This focused mindset has already paid off, with LSG enjoying a strong start to the IPL 2025 season, and Thakur continuing to create match-winning moments.

Shardul’s IPL Comeback and Zaheer Khan’s Influence

Shardul Thakur’s return to the IPL with LSG has been a testament to his resilience and the powerful influence of Zaheer Khan. Despite a challenging auction and initial setbacks, Thakur’s determination and support from mentors like Khan have propelled him to be one of the best performers in IPL 2025. His journey serves as an example of how athletes can bounce back from adversity, and for fans, it’s clear that Shardul Thakur still has a lot to offer in the IPL.

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