Speaking to the media before LSG’s home match against Punjab Kings, Shardul Thakur
criticized the pure batting-friendly pitches calling them unfair for the bowlers. He
expressed concerns over the diminishing role of bowlers in the game and argued that the introduction of the Impact Player rule has further skewed the contest in favor of batters more.
Bowler’s perspective on Impact Player rule and pitch conditions
Shardul did not shy away from voicing concerns about the Impact Player rule and the
batting-friendly pitches.
“What I am saying is not just my personal opinion but I’m talking on behalf of all the bowlers. Many of them might not be outspoken or may not always get the chance to speak in front of the media or give interviews about pitch conditions. But the fact remains that the introduction of new Impact Player rules has already changed the way teams approach the game.
“All the bowler wants fair pitches so that the game hangs in a proper balance. We want
pitches that provide an even contest between bat and ball, rather than conditions where
batters dominate and just come in and smash us all over the park. The game should be
competitive, where both bowlers and batters get an equal opportunity to make an impact.
That’s all we are asking for — a fair chance to compete on a level playing field.”
Zaheer Khan’s call that changed everything
When asked about his return to the IPL, Shardul credited LSG mentor Zaheer Khan for giving him a new lease of life.
“Every player waits for that one opportunity. When I went unsold, I focused on playing the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai, and we even reached the knockouts. One month before the IPL, Zaheer Khan called me, discussing what needed to be done when I joined the team. He told me that they were looking at me as a potential replacement due to injuries, and I subconsciously started preparing for the IPL.”
No change in action, just a change in mindset
Unlike previous IPL seasons where he struggled initially, Shardul has already taken six
wickets in just two matches this year. When asked about his strategy, he replied: “I haven’t
changed anything. I am just playing with a lot of freedom. My mindset is simple – if the
batters are coming hard at me, I will go hard at them too.”
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