Shardul Thakur is ready for the big stage. The new kid on the fast lane bowled quick and went after wickets in the four-month long first class season that concluded with the Zal Irani Cup.
After three years of hard work and with 90 first class wickets under his belt, the 23-year-old Palghar boy should walk into the India ‘A’ side for the home series against Australian ‘A’ in July.
Three years ago when he made his Ranji Trophy debut wearing the Mumbai lion crest, Shardul’s six scalps came at a costly 75.66; he improved the following season with a tally of 27 wickets at 26.25 and in the current first class season, he has been spectacular.
He took 57 wickets at 22.66 with six five-wicket hauls. The fast bowlers made a big impact in this Ranji Trophy season with R. Vinay Kumar leading the table with 48 wickets at 18.72, superior to Shardul’s 48 wickets at 20.81.
Just a pep talk and advice from the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar in the course of a net session, has turned Shardul from an erratic bowler into an India potential.
Responding to a query, Tendulkar told The Hindu on Wednesday of Shardul’s growth as a fast bowler: “I had seen him six years ago when he used to come to bowl at me. Then I told my friends that this guy has got the potential. I asked him to reduce his weight and get fitter if he wanted to play higher class of cricket and that if he managed that, performances will follow. He has been disciplined and focused since then.”
The sprightly fast bowler overcame serious issues with Mumbai captain Surya Kumar Yadav (replaced by Aditya Tare midway through the season), and took responsibility in the absence of Dhawal Kulkarni. He shepherded a seam attack that lacked experience.
The first match that Mumbai lost to Jammu & Kashmir was a forgettable experience for the players, including Shardul, but a six for 59 against Railways at the Karnail Singh Stadium, set off a series of successful outings for the team and the ambitious fast bowler.
Picked for the Irani Cup match against Karnataka he took five for 86 in the second innings.
Shardul will be in action for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL-8. He will get opportunities to learn quick lessons on the art of fast bowling from Australian Mitchell Johnson and while bowling in the nets to the likes of Virender Sehwag, Murali Vijay, George Bailey, David Miller, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh.
While Shardul’s magnificent performance this season has been taken notice of by the selectors, Karnataka’s R. Vinay Kumar and Abhimanyu Mithun would hope for a recall from the national selectors.
Vinay Kumar has been truly outstanding. Assam off-spinner Swarupam Purkayastha appears to have impressed the national selectors; he did not meet with success against a strong Karnataka batting line-up in the quarterfinal at Indore.
But among all bowlers, Mumbai’s Shardul would be the one to watch in the future.
