Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Shardul Thakur’s fiery century rescues Mumbai in Ranji Trophy clash
Xtra Time Web Desk: Shardul Thakur showcased his class and resilience by slamming his second first-class century in the ongoing Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match against Jammu and Kashmir at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) on Friday, January 24. The Mumbai all-rounder played a spirited knock, celebrating his milestone with a passionate chest-thump and a look to the skies, sending a strong message to selectors.
Coming to bat with Mumbai teetering at 101/7, Shardul turned the game on its head with an aggressive yet calculated counter-attack. He scored an unbeaten 113 off 119 deliveries, hitting 17 boundaries and playing as risk-free as possible, ensuring stability at a critical juncture.
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???? for Shardul Thakur ????????
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 24, 2025
A crucial knock under pressure ????
The celebrations say it all ????#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/oYXDhqotjO pic.twitter.com/o3XQIjzRAH
Partnering with Tanush Kotian, who contributed an impressive 58 not out, Shardul stitched a match-defining 173-run partnership for the eighth wicket. The duo’s efforts helped Mumbai recover from a precarious position and end Day 2 at 274/7, with a lead of 188 runs on a deteriorating pitch.
The day had initially been grim for Mumbai as their batting heavyweights faltered. Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, and Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to deliver under pressure, leaving the team in deep trouble. Rohit, returning to the Ranji Trophy after nine years, endured a disappointing outing with scores of 3 in the first innings and 28 in the second, falling to uncharacteristic shots on both occasions.
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However, Shardul's fighting knock ensured Mumbai remained in control, saving them from the brink of a potential defeat. “I like batting in difficult situations. In easy situations, everyone does well, but how you put up the show in adverse situations matters,” Shardul had said earlier, and his performance was a testament to his words.
With this performance, Shardul has once again proven his value as an all-rounder, especially after being overlooked by selectors for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Along with Tanush Kotian, who is part of the squad following R Ashwin’s retirement, Shardul has kept Mumbai in contention for a significant victory.
