Shardul Thakur Achieves Hat-Trick for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy
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Synopsis
Shardul Thakur made history by becoming the fifth bowler from Mumbai to secure a hat-trick in the Ranji Trophy, achieving this feat during a crucial match against Meghalaya. His exceptional performance contributed significantly to Mumbai's efforts in the tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Shardul Thakur took a hat-trick for Mumbai.
- This milestone places him among the elite group of bowlers in Ranji Trophy history.
- Mumbai aims for victory to secure a bonus point.
- Thakur has been a standout performer this season.
- His achievement adds to the legacy of Mumbai cricket.
Mumbai, Jan 30 (NationPress) Indian fast bowler Shardul Thakur achieved a remarkable hat-trick for Mumbai against Meghalaya in a pivotal Ranji Trophy encounter held at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy on Thursday.
Thakur, who opened the bowling for Mumbai after the team opted to field first, took out Anirudh B, Sumit Kumar, and Jaskirat in the third over, subsequently claiming Nishant Chakraborty on the fourth ball of the innings.
This feat made him the second bowler to secure a hat-trick in the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy season, following Himachal Pradesh’s Rishi Dhawan who accomplished the same against Pondicherry.
Additionally, at the age of 33, Thakur is now the fifth bowler from Mumbai to record a hat-trick in the history of the Ranji Trophy.
The other four bowlers to achieve this are Jehangir Behramji Khot (Bombay) vs Baroda in 1943/44, Umesh Narayan Kulkarni (Bombay) vs Gujarat in 1963/64, Abdul Moosabhoy Ismail (Bombay) vs Saurashtra in 1973/74, and Royston Harold Dias (Mumbai) vs Bihar in the 2023/24 season.
Throughout the current season, Thakur has played seven matches, taking 20 wickets and scoring 297 runs, which includes a century and two fifties. Alongside Thakur's impressive 4-14 performance, Mohit Avasthi contributed by taking two wickets, helping Mumbai to reduce Meghalaya to 29-6 in just 12 overs.
Currently sitting third in Group A, Mumbai needs to win the ongoing match by either an innings or 10 wickets to secure a bonus point. This would tie them with J&K (29 points), with Baroda close behind at 27 points.
In this scenario, Mumbai will be hoping that either J&K or Baroda does not gain more than one point from their final-round match in Vadodara.
