There has always been something a little unusual about Shardul Thakur as a bowler. It doesn’t fit neatly into categories. He is not an express pacer, he is not a classic swing bowler and he is not someone who relies on heavy variations. And yet he still finds ways to pick up wickets.
Maybe that’s why the “Mr” brand has haunted him for so long. Not because there is an obvious explanation, but because there often isn’t.
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In the night where the Indians of Bombay were looking start the season well Thakur gave a performance that very much lived up to that reputation. It wasn’t textbook, but it came at the right moment.
He plays for his home franchise at the Wankhede Stadium, it was a significant output. It’s land he talked about with mixed emotions. As recently as 2012, he was here as a netminder. More than a decade later, he retired in MI colors and finished as man of the match.
DISRUPTION OF FLOW
The most striking thing was how it was used.
Unlike most T20 bowlers who operate in fixed roles, Thakur moved around. One over in the powerplay, two in the middle overs in separate spells and one at the death. Different stages, different demands.
He responded with a strike in each of his first three overs and each wicket came at an important moment. First up was Finn Allen in the power play. Allen is known for getting into the game early and his removal helped slow things down.
Then came Ajinkya Rahane, who had just turned fifty and was starting to shift. The wicket came soon after a strategic time-out, just as KKR wanted to continue.
Third was Cameron Green who settled in and looked set for a strong finish. Each time the pattern was similar. Just as the innings seemed to be building up, Thakur smashed the stand.
FROM SUPPORT TO HIT POSSIBILITY
He has always had the ability to take wickets and there were signs of that last season with Lucknow Super Giants where he took six wickets in his first two matches and was trusted with the new ball. What has changed now is the clarity in how it is used.
It no longer just fills things. It is used as a goal-taking option.
There is also the context of the move itself.
After a season with Lucknow Super Giants, Thakur’s move to Mumbai Indians brought him back home, but also to a setup that looked clear on how they wanted to use him.
That clarity was evident not only in his role, but also in the support he spoke of after the game.
“The kind of support I’ve had here has been amazing. Thanks to the whole MI family for swapping me from LSG and getting me into the XI straight away,” he said.
There was also a lighter moment when he talked about settling down.
“I would be very happy to stay here. It’s my hometown,” he added, hinting at talking to Hardik Pandya about a long-term stay.
MOMENTS BEYOND CHAOS
His own explanation of his bowling he was always refreshingly simple. In an old interview he once said, “I just hold it and see what happens after the pitch, I don’t know.” It sounds casual, but there is a point behind it.
Thakur does not rely on one method. He mixes up seam positions, changes pace subtly and is willing to try things out as the situation dictates. It may not always look controlled, but it creates enough doubt for the batsmen.
This approach has proven itself here again. Some deliveries sat, some were delayed, some came faster. There was no clear pattern to the ranking. A different kind of partnership After the game, he talked about enjoying those situations. “The challenges are what made me who I am today,” he said, referring to being brought in at tricky stages like the sixth end.
The broader context also needs to be considered.
With Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge, Mumbai already had one of the most reliable bowlers in the league. Bumrah’s role is well defined. It controls shifts, especially at death.
Thakur adds a different kind of menace.
He gives them wickets at stages where teams usually struggle to consolidate. This changes the way oppositions approach the innings. It’s not about just finding Bumrah anymore. There is another bowler who can break partnerships.
WHAT IT MEANS TO GO FORWARD
This combination could be important as the season progresses. This complicates planning for opposing teams. Taking chances against Thakur has its own dangers. Playing him conservatively allows Mumbai to stay in control.
It’s early days, but this performance showed how that balance could work.
There is also a lighter side to how Thakur is viewed. The nickname “Mr” still haunts him and he takes it in good spirit. “I don’t mind people showing love like that,” he said after the game.
That sums up his place in the game. He’s not always predictable and not always conventional, but he finds ways to contribute. On this occasion it came together neatly. The conditions offered a little, the matches went in his favor and he served at the right moments.
This is a promising sign for Mumbai. For Thakur, it’s another reminder that his style, while difficult to define, remains effective. And for anyone watching, it was another example of how he tends to affect games in his own way.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
30 Mar 2026 08:01 IST
