Shardul Thakur: Mumbai Indians have decided to give a gift to Shardul Thakur. After the win against Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya also mentioned that gift. You might be wondering what that is a gift? The gift that Shardul Thakur is getting is the trust, the promise that the team management and captain Hardik Pandya have made to him.
Net bowler of 2010, becomes the hero of victory in 2026
This is the same Shardul Thakur, who first joined Mumbai Indians as a net bowler in 2010. Now in IPL 2026, he has played an important role in ending his wait of 14 years. This is the first time since 2012 that Mumbai Indians have won their first match in the IPL. In its first match of IPL 2026, it defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 6 wickets while chasing its biggest IPL target of 221 runs.
How did Shardul become the hero of Mumbai Indians’ victory?
Shardul Thakur became the player of the match in the victory of Mumbai Indians. He dismissed 3 important batsmen of KKR – Finn Allen, Cameron Green and Ajinkya Rahane – for 39 runs in 4 overs. After the match, when Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya came to the press conference, he praised his most successful bowler.
‘Now Shardul will remain in Mumbai Indians only’
Hardik Pandya said that he has told Shardul Thakur that the franchise has high expectations from him this season. Hardik told that now Shardul wants to stay in Mumbai Indians for his entire career. He said that he is a courageous player who is not afraid of situations.
Shardul’s first season with Mumbai Indians
This is Shardul Thakur’s first season as a player with Mumbai Indians. Before this, he has played for 5 IPL teams, which include Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders.