Shardul Thakur first class career: We take a look at the India bowler’s domestic stats as he eyes his second Test appearance in the upcoming third Test vs Australia.
Thakur is a right-arm medium-fast bowler who offers control and the ability to swing the new ball.
The 29-year-old made his Test debut for India against the West Indies in 2018 but picked up an injury in just his second over, preventing him from bowling for the rest of the match.
However, injuries to senior fast bowlers Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma mean that over two years later, he could finally get a second chance in the five-day format against Australia in Sydney.
Shardul Thakur first class career
Thakur began his first class career in November 2012, making his debut for Mumbai against Rajasthan in Jaipur.
He had a relatively low-key first appearance, taking one wicket and being dismissed for one in a high-scoring draw.
Since then, he’s really made his mark on the domestic circuit, though, taking a total of 206 wickets from 62 matches.
His average is currently an impressive 28.55, while his economy rate is a respectable 3.16.
To date, he’s taken 12 five-wicket hauls, and has best innings figures of 6/31.
His batting stats require some work, but he’s by no means a walking wicket.
Thakur averages just 16 with the willow but he has six first class fifties to his name with a top score of 87.
He’s also taken 16 catches in first class cricket.
The pacer is best known for his work in the white-ball formats, having already made 29 appearances for his country across ODIs and T20Is.
India fans may well see Shardul Thakur in Test whites for just the second time in Sydney, though, and his first class career stats suggest he’s capable of making an impact against Australia.