IPL 2025: LSG Honour Shardul Thakur With Special Jersey Ahead of 100th IPL Appearance

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IPL 2025: In a heartwarming gesture, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) presented veteran all-rounder Shardul Thakur with an honorary jersey ahead of their IPL 2025 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on Tuesday.

Thakur, who is set to feature in his 100th IPL match, was handed a special memento by LSG mentor and Indian pace legend Zaheer Khan in recognition of the milestone.

The jersey bore the number '100' on the back, symbolising Thakur's journey across multiple franchises and his resilience in reaching the prestigious three-figure mark in the world's premier T20 league.

"It's a proud moment for any cricketer," said Zaheer Khan during the brief presentation. "Shardul has shown tremendous character to come back strong this season, and this token is a small tribute to his contribution to IPL cricket."

Shardul's road to this milestone has been anything but straightforward. The 33-year-old fast-bowling all-rounder went unsold during the IPL 2025 mega auction, sparking surprise across the cricketing world. However, fate had other plans. When left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan was ruled out of the tournament due to injury, LSG turned to the experienced Mumbaikar as a replacement signing.

Since his comeback, Thakur has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. In just four appearances, he has scalped seven wickets at an impressive strike rate of 11, reaffirming his status as a dependable T20 operator. His standout performance - a match-winning spell of 4/34 against Sunrisers Hyderabad - not only sealed a massive win for LSG but also propelled him to the top of the Purple Cap standings.

Speaking at the toss, LSG captain Rishabh Pant confirmed the team would go in with an unchanged playing XI, showing further confidence in Thakur's match-winning capabilities. "Shardul's impact in the last few games has been incredible. He's brought in experience and energy, and we're thrilled to have him in the XI for such a landmark game," Pant said.

The playing XIs for the evening saw LSG line up with a powerful combination, including names like Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, and David Miller alongside Thakur. Meanwhile, KKR, led by Ajinkya Rahane, opted to bowl first after winning the toss.

Thakur's IPL journey spans a multitude of franchises - from his early days at Kings XI Punjab and Rising Pune Supergiants to title-winning stints at Chennai Super Kings, and later roles at Delhi Capitals and KKR. His ability to swing the ball, deliver under pressure, and chip in with handy runs lower down the order has made him a valuable asset for every team he's played for.

As the Eden Gardens crowd witnessed the tribute unfold, it served as a timely reminder of Shardul Thakur's perseverance and passion - hallmarks that have defined his IPL career. And as he takes the field for his centurion outing, there's no doubt he'll be looking to mark the occasion in style.