Mumbai are gearing up for their Ranji Trophy semifinal against Vidarbha in Nagpur, starting on February 17. Throughout this season, one of the standout players for the defending champions has been Shardul Thakur. Whether with the bat or ball, he has delivered, smashing centuries, picking up hat-tricks, and taking six-wicket hauls.
In the quarter-final at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Mumbai defeated Haryana, with Shardul picking up nine wickets in the game. After that thumping win, Shardul opened up about his comeback, this Ranji season, his focus on the England tour, disappointment at not being in the IPL, and much more in an exclusive chat with RevSportz’s editor-in-chief, Boria Majumdar.
Q: Fantastic Ranji season so far, and is the eye on England?
Shardul: Of course, all cricketers always dream of playing for India, and I have already done it. But my dream has always been to play for India consistently. I am thankful to God that I have already had so many opportunities to be with the team, play so many games, and make winning contributions. But now, for the last year, I have not been in that dressing room, and hence, once again, I am dreaming of playing for India. The Ranji Trophy is going on, and this upcoming England tour is the motivation I need to be there. My only focus has always been that wherever I play, I somehow have to make match-winning contributions with the bat or ball.
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“The initial two days were tough” — #ShardulThakur on not getting selected for #BGT2024. @imShard @BCCI @ThumsUpOfficial pic.twitter.com/U3iO8HobNl
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) February 13, 2025
Q: Do you have that belief that if you get a chance in the England tour, you can deliver for team India?
Shardul: Self-belief and confidence are very high. There is no bigger motivation than playing for your country. If you look at Team India’s combination, whether playing in India or abroad, you always need a bowler who can bat at No. 7 or 8. Ravichandran Ashwin used to play and won many games with the bat as well. Ravindra Jadeja has also shown that capability. I believe I have the skill to deliver for Team India even at No. 7 or 8.
Even if I am the third or fourth seamer in the team, it does not mean I am less than anyone. For Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, I play as a lead bowler, so I am used to bowling with the new ball. Hence, if Jasprit Bumrah is bowling from one end and the Team India captain wants me to start from the other, I am up for it, as this is nothing new to me. I believe my bowling has the versatility to adjust according to different situations.
If you think of T20Is, in the matches where Bumrah and I played together, I operated more in the death overs. In Test cricket, I can bowl with both the new and old ball. With the bat, I think any runs from numbers eight to eleven are valuable for the team. Especially when we are touring England, as an away team, those extra runs provide a cushion for the bowlers. Eventually, they become the key difference in a particular game.
Q: After the injury, you have been doing so well in the Ranji Trophy. Mentally, how tough was it for you?
Shardul: Initially, it was quite disturbing when I saw my name was not there when the team was selected. It was tough, but as professional cricketers, we understand that there are highs and lows in a career. What I thought at that moment was that if I wanted to achieve more in cricket, I could not dwell on the rejection anymore. There was optimism that if any opportunity came my way, I should be ready.
There was no desperation to put in any extra effort—I focused on my basics. If you ask me what makes me special while playing for Mumbai, I will say taking wickets at regular intervals and delivering performances in knockout stages. All these serve as motivation for me, and I believe that if I have already done these things, I can do them again.
When the team came out for the Australia tour, my focus shifted to the Champions Trophy, IPL, and now this upcoming England tour. The motivation was there, and I worked hard accordingly.
Q: Talk about that hundred and the celebration for Mumbai. What did it feel like?
Shardul: I was having cramps as I had been on the ground for eight sessions continuously. But the celebration came from the heart.
If I speak honestly, I even thought I would cry, but it did not happen. I am very passionate about playing cricket. It does not matter at which level I am playing—I am always very competitive.
Q: Did it hurt to go unsold in the IPL 2025 auction?
Shardul: Yes, for the last 10 years, I have been a part of the IPL and have even won championships. In a player’s life, performances go up and down, but the quality remains.
Even then, I told myself that it is okay that I did not get any chances in this IPL, but whenever an opportunity comes, it will be huge, and for that, I need to be ready.
Q: Can you elaborate on the commitment to domestic cricket?
Shardul: I would say it was quite tough for us when we lost the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia. We dominated throughout the tournament, but one loss—and that too in the final—cost us the World Cup.
After that, I went on to play two Vijay Hazare Trophy games. I played only two because of the South Africa tour, and from that World Cup squad, I was the only player who managed to play domestic matches.
By the end of the South Africa tour, I started feeling pain in my ankle. It was injected, and despite that, I played five first-class games, and we were champions last year. I did pretty well in both the semi-final and final.
Q: How you manage to play so well in knockout games?
Shardul: I think it is a part of Mumbai’s culture because we do not consider a year good until we lift the trophy. Hence, if you want to lift the trophy, you have to play your best cricket in the knockout games.
For that, performance is needed, and one more thing—self-belief—that we can win the game from any kind of adverse situation. This has come to me from Mumbai’s culture, and the fight I have been through throughout my career also helps.
Q: Words on Rohit Sharma, and a fantastic century against England?
Shardul: The best part about Rohit Sharma is that he is still the same as he was in his childhood. In terms of his game and as a person, he may have evolved, but the small things within him are still the same.
When he played that Ranji game for us and did not score runs, we had a chat because he had not scored in Australia either. But he was so confident that he told me, “I know the runs are not coming now, but all I need is just one innings. Then, runs will come automatically again.”
He is an opener, and when they face the new ball, it is always tough. We should not judge him at any time, considering how many matches he has won for India across all formats over the years.
As a friend and spectator, I have always been confident that when the right time comes, he will deliver for sure.
Q: Do you think that with this hundred, he has now got the momentum for the Champions Trophy?
Shardul: The way he was batting, even in the nets, it was hard to believe he was out of form. He looked very comfortable to me. There is a luck factor, and he was getting out—even getting out several times while playing his favourite shots. So, bad luck is real.
In this hundred, he hit those sixes with such ease. The class is different, and his six-hitting ability is top-notch. Whenever he bats, it is a treat to our eyes.
Q: Are you mentally ready for England tour?
Shardul: Absolutely. There are no negative thoughts, and I am ready at any given time. But as of now, my focus is to help Mumbai win this Ranji Trophy. Helping your state win a championship brings a different kind of joy.
If you ask me, the dressing room atmosphere is best during these knockout games, and these memories stay with us forever.
Q: Please tell us about the ‘Lord’ tag!
Shardul: Fans have given me that tag, and it feels good. I think I did well in ODIs and T20Is when England came to India. Since then, this ‘Lord’ tag has come up, and it is a token of love from them. I enjoy and appreciate that.
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