'LSG Approached Me First': Shardul Thakur Reveals How A Phone Call From Zaheer Khan Allowed Him To Enter IPL 2025

Shardul Thakur has been a revelation since he joined the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025. The star Indian bowler didn't have any takers at the IPL 2025 mega-auction and replaced the injured Mohsin Khan in the squad.

Shardul Thakur Came On Top Against Sunrisers Hyderabad

Shardul came on top against the Lucknow Super Giants' top order. He dismissed Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan in successive balls and was on a hat-trick. He forced Abhishek to enforce a mistimed pull shot while Ishan glanced a simple ball on the leg side. Shardul went on to wrap up the evening with the wickets of Abhinav Manohar and Mohammed Shami. His four-wickets haul has seen him rising to the wicket taking charts and currently holds the purple cap.

Also Read: Mitchell Marsh & Nicholas Pooran's Clinical Batting Propel Lucknow Super Giants Towards A Win Over Sunrisers Hyderabad

Shardul Thakur Reveals How He Joined LSG

The Mumbai star narrated the story of how a last-minute phone call changed his plans for IPL 2025. As quoted by the Hindustan Times, he said, “In IPL, all these things keep happening. Unfortunately, (there were) a few injuries here and there, and there were a few inquiries if I could join the camp. But LSG approached me first so I had to accept it. Zaheer Khan gave me a call. You have good and bad days, you have to go through it in cricket."

Also read: Double Trouble for SRH as Shardul Thakur Unleashes Fury, Sends Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan Packing

With this win, Lucknow have secured a spot in the second place while SRH have demoted to the sixth place. Shardul further went on to say that he had prepared for County stints if he had failed to secure an IPL contract. 

“I had made my plans. I had signed for County Cricket if I wasn't picked for IPL. While playing Ranji, I got a call from Zaheer Khan that we are looking at you as a potential replacement so don't switch yourself off. If we get you we'll need you to start. That was the day I got back in the IPL zone. Ups and downs keep happening. That was a bad day when I wasn't picked in the auction.”

This win will further boost Lucknow's confidence ahead of their home game against Punjab Kings on April 1.