TATA IPL 2022: Why Delhi Capitals bought Shardul Thakur for INR 10.75 crore
In the recently concluded IPL auction, Delhi Capitals shed a whopping 10.75 Cr for Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur, making him the most expensive buy for the Delhi franchise in 2022. But what did they get for their money?
Shardul Thakur in actionIn the Mega auctions, teams spent over 550 crores buying 204 players in an attempt to work out the correct combination to win the grand prize. It will be interesting to see how the Delhi Capitals use the all-rounder as part of their extensive team.
In the recently concluded IPL auction, Delhi Capitals shed a whopping 10.75 Cr for Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur, making him the most expensive buy for the Delhi franchise in 2022.
Despite topping the table in 2021, DC just couldn't fire at the right time and lost both Playoff matches to get eliminated from the title race. In fact, the Delhi Capitals have faltered in the knockout stages for the past three seasons of the IPL and so change is needed.
One key takeaway from the debacle of 2021 was the lack of a genuine all-rounder as a match-winner. The attacking batting line-up couldn't capitalize on the starts given by the top order in the key matches, which led to the disappointing finish of their campaign.
Shardul Thakur's strengths
Shardul Thakur has been in exceptional form over the past two years, especially with the ball, but also most recently with the bat too. He was the second highest wicket-taker in the 2021 edition of the IPL. Surprisingly, in India’s tour of South Africa, he played a couple of crucial knocks against the formidable South African pacers too.
His ability with the bat gives the squad another solid option during the death overs. Meanwhile, Thakur is a medium pace bowler who produces decent movements similar to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His knack for picking up wickets at regular intervals, along with his handy batting credentials, have made him a regular in the Indian team across all three formats of the game. Taking 67 IPL wickets, for example, is a solid return.
He has been added to Delhi squad as an answer to their long-standing woe lack of an all-rounder in the team. The world, along with Delhi Capitals, will wait with bated breath for what Thakur will bring to the squad.