MI vs KKR: Shardul Thakur bites back against Old Team with Unique Ploy, Check Out!

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Shardul Thakur has delivered an excellent bowling performance for Mumbai Indians against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026 Match 2 at the Wankhede Stadium.

Bowling in the middle overs, the experienced all-rounder has returned impressive figures of 3/25 in 3 overs, proving why he is often called "Lord Shardul" for his knack of picking crucial wickets at pivotal moments.

Shardul Thakur Strikes Thrice in 3 Overs

Thakur has struck early in his first over, removing explosive opener Finn Allen for 37. Allen attempted a big hit downtown but dragged a slower delivery to wide long-on, where it was safely caught. The dismissal, bowled at around 117 kmph off the surface, has halted KKR's aggressive start and brought the required run rate under control when the visitors were cruising at 69/1.

His second wicket came in the 9th over when he has accounted for Cameron Green (18 off 10). Thakur has dug in a short ball, taking pace off cleverly. Green has tried to slap it over the off-side but mistimed it, offering a simple catch to Sherfane Rutherford at deep cover. This breakthrough at 109/2 has further dented KKR's momentum in the middle phase.

The third and most important scalp has been that of captain Ajinkya Rahane, who has anchored the innings with a quick 67 off 40 balls (including 3 fours and 5 sixes). In the 14th over, Thakur has bowled a full, cross-seam delivery just outside off. Rahane has looked to go inside-out but has got a toe-end slice, which Hardik Pandya has tracked back to catch comfortably at extra-cover.

MI vs KKR: Shardul Thakur stars with Slower Ball

A standout feature of Thakur's spell has been his slower ball ploy. He has consistently varied his pace, using off-cutters and back-of-the-hand slower deliveries to disrupt the batters' timing on the true Wankhede surface. The wicket of Allen has been a classic example - the slower ball into the pitch has made Allen commit early, resulting in a mistimed shot. Against Green, the lack of pace on the short ball has forced an error in execution.

Even the dismissal of Rahane has involved clever seam positioning that has induced the outside edge. These variations have not only fetched him three wickets but have also kept the economy in check at 8.33, preventing KKR from launching freely in the death build-up.