In the fast-paced, high-scoring world of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, bowlers often find themselves under intense scrutiny. Following a commanding performance by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against the Gujarat Titans (GT) on April 12, 2025, LSG’s star pacer Shardul Thakur unleashed a scathing response to commentators criticizing bowlers.
Shardul Thakur sizzles with the ball in LSG’s win over GT
The Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow was the stage for a thrilling IPL 2025 clash between LSG and the Gujarat Titans. Batting first, LSG posted a competitive total, driven by their dynamic batting lineup. However, it was their bowling unit, spearheaded by Shardul, that stole the show. Thakur, a seasoned campaigner, claimed two vital wickets, stifling the Titans’ chase despite their aggressive batting approach. His ability to mix pace, swing, and slower deliveries proved decisive in LSG’s victory, reinforcing their reputation as a balanced side.
LSG’s triumph was particularly notable given the absence of an overseas bowler in their lineup. Defending a challenging total on a pitch that favored batters in the second innings, Thakur and his teammates displayed remarkable composure.
“Credit to us that we’ve defended scores on two occasions when we batted first. We put up a good score, the pitch became better for batting, and even with drastic changes, we managed to defend,” Thakur said post-match.
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Addressing the criticism leveled at LSG’s bowling unit, he stood firmly in their defense. With LSG sitting third on the IPL 2025 points table with four wins in six matches, Thakur’s confidence was backed by results. His own contribution—11 wickets in six matches, placing him second in the Purple Cap race—underscored his pivotal role in the team’s success. Yet, Thakur’s remarks went beyond self-defense. He highlighted a broader trend in cricket that commentators often overlook: the evolution of T20 batting.
“I’ve always believed that, as a bowling unit, we’ve bowled well throughout the season. A lot of times in commentary, there’s criticism—they try to be hard on the bowlers. But you have to understand that cricket is moving in a certain direction where 200+ scores are becoming more common,” added Shardul.
The 33-year-old didn’t mince words, suggesting that pundits lack the perspective to fully grasp the challenges bowlers face.
“It’s easy to sit in a studio and comment on someone’s bowling, but they don’t see the real picture out there on the ground. I’m sure they should look at their own stats before criticising anyone,” Shardul added further.
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