In IPL 2025, Shardul Thakur has proved his bowling prowess in the first two matches of the season. First, he shocked Delhi Capitals and then forced the explosive batsmen of Sunrisers Hyderabad to bow down in their home. He took two wickets in the first match. At the same time, he became the hero of Lucknow's strong victory by taking 4 wickets against Hyderabad. He has taken 6 wickets so far and after 7 matches, he is the highest wicket-taker in the tournament. Shardul's playing was not even certain before the start of IPL, but now he has also won the Purple Cap. All this happened because of a phone call. Let us tell you how the phone call changed Shardul's luck.

Whose call changed Shardul's luck?

Shardul Thakur may have wreaked havoc in IPL 2025 today, but before the start of the tournament, it seemed difficult for him to play. No team bought him in the mega auction and he remained unsold. He was a part of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024, but he was released before the mega auction. After this, Shardul came for auction with a base price of 2 crores. But no franchise bid for him and he remained unsold. This shattered his dream of playing in the IPL. But while playing Ranji Trophy, Zaheer Khan called him and from here Shardul's luck changed.

The 4 main pacers of the Lucknow Super Giants team, Akash Deep, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Avesh Khan were struggling with injuries and were in dire need of replacement. So the team's mentor Zaheer Khan contacted Shardul Thakur. Not only this, he also assured me that if he is selected, he will definitely play in the team and this is what happened. Shardul himself revealed this after the match.

He said, 'When I was playing in the Ranji Trophy, Zaheer Khan called me and he told me that you can be called as a replacement. If you are called as a replacement, then there is every possibility of you playing. So keep yourself ready.' Just before the tournament started, Mohsin Khan was out for the entire season due to injury and Shardul got his place.

There was a plan to go to England

Shardul Thakur revealed while receiving the Player of the Match award that after remaining unsold in the mega auction, he did not think that he would be able to play this season. Therefore, he had planned to go to England and play county cricket. But after Zaheer Khan's phone call, he started preparing for the IPL.

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