Shardul Thakur entered the 2024 Ranji Trophy semi-final conflict towards Tamil Nadu on the Bandra-Kurla Complex Stadium with a noteworthy twist in his profession batting statistics: his Test batting common of 19.47 surpassed his general first-class common of 16.97, which exterior of Test cricket stood at 16.48.
Making his mark from the onset, Thakur, whereas opening the bowling, swiftly dismissed Sai Sudharsan with simply the fourth supply of the match. Later, he claimed the essential wicket of Vijay Shankar, who had amassed 44 runs, the best for Tamil Nadu, of their whole rating of 146. Thakur concluded his bowling spell with figures of 2-48. (Ranji Trophy 2024 Semi-Finals: All You Need To Know; LIVE Streaming Details, Venues And More)
With Mumbai positioned at 45-2 by stumps on day one, they progressed to 91-3 the next morning. However, their fortunes took a downturn when Tamil Nadu’s skipper, Sai Kishore, unleashed havoc on their center order, securing a five-wicket haul as Mumbai faltered to 106-7.
Amidst the turmoil, Thakur partnered with wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore, elevating the rating to 125-7 by lunch. Displaying his prowess with the bat, Thakur launched an assault on the Tamil Nadu bowlers. His fifty got here in a mere 58 balls, as he dominated a 105-run partnership, overshadowing Tamore’s contribution of 35 runs. (IPL 2024: Just Like Rohit Sharma, Another Captain Could Lose Leadership Role – Report)
In a triumphant show, Thakur reached his hundred milestone with aptitude, smashing an inside-out six off left-arm spinner Ajit Ram. His jubilation was palpable as he dropped his bat and gloves, punching the air in celebration earlier than elegantly paddle-sweeping the following ball for 4. Remarkably, he achieved this feat in simply 89 balls after tea, signaling a outstanding spotlight in his cricketing journey. Fans went loopy on social media after Thakur accomplished his maiden firstclass ton and that too within the all essential Ranji Trophy semifinal.
Checkout the reactions under:
Shardul Thakur comples century with a SIX.
First FC HUNDRED, the celebration says all of it#RanjiTrophypic.twitter.com/fHTLcxtChH
 Varun Giri (@Varungiri0) March 3, 2024
Maiden firstclass century for Shardul Thakur #RanjiTrophy #WhistlePodu
 Jio Cinema pic.twitter.com/HfwOWSdqDl
 WhistlePodu Army CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) March 3, 2024
A SHARDUL THAKUR RAMPAGE IN RANJI TROPHY pic.twitter.com/5Hy4oFoGer
— Yash (@CSKYash_) March 3, 2024
Scored 109 runs with a Strike Rate of 105
A brand new Provider loading for Dinda Academy in IPL
Lord Shardul Thakur  pic.twitter.com/QvKAg89lJl
 Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) March 3, 2024
Shardul Thakur departs after a shocking hundred. Well performed Lord #RanjiTrophy pic.twitter.com/pLicUnaRdK
 Vinesh Bhai (@vlp1994) March 3, 2024
HUNDRED FOR SHARDUL THAKUR IN RANJI SEMI WHEN TEAM WERE 106/7Â
 The celebration was fireplace pic.twitter.com/IubSed3uzF
 Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 3, 2024
Although Tamore fell sufferer to Sai Kishore, Thakur continued alongside Tanush Kotian. Surpassing his earlier greatest first-class rating of 87, he accelerated in the direction of his maiden first-class century.