Shardul Thakur: The India fast bowler's top 5 Mumbai performances

India fast bowler Shardul Thakur celebrates his 28th birthday on Wednesday, October 16. He has played 13 internationals for the Indian team in the past.  He also plays for the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings in IPL. However, it is his performances with his domestic team, Mumbai over the years that played a huge role in winning Thakur the coveted India cap. He was named in India's 16-man squad for the 2016 Test series in the West Indies but did not feature in the playing 11 of the side. In August 2017, the Mumbai pacer was named in India's ODI squad for the series against Sri Lanka in the Emerald Isles. He made his debut in the same series. 

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Thakur's exploits for Mumbai

On the domestic circuit, Thakur has played for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. He has played 60 first-class matches. Since his debut in the Ranji Trophy game against Rajasthan in 2012, he has taken 205 wickets. His best figures have been 6-31 in the 2016 Ranji Trophy group game against Bengal. He dismissed Bengal's best batsmen, Manoj Tiwary and Sreevats Goswami in what was a fiery spell. Bengal was shot out for 99 in the first innings batting first, which went on to help Mumbai in gaining a 130-run lead. Though the match was a draw, Mumbai took home 3 points.

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Prior to that, Thakur's finest hour in domestic cricket came in the Ranji Trophy 2015-16 final. Against Saurashtra, he finished with match figures of 8-115, starring in Mumbai's 41st title win in the competition. Against the same opposition, Thakur proved his worth in a spell of 3-36 in their 2019 clash.

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Shardul Thakur is renowned for some cracking spells of bowling, making him an asset for Mumbai till date. Some of his other top spells include his 6-53 against Uttar Pradesh and 6-59 against Railways in two consecutive matches in December 2014. India's loss is surely Mumbai's gain. As he turns 28, Thakur will look forward to make a stronger impact in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season.

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