In an electrifying encounter at Eden Gardens, Shardul Thakur made headlines for both good and bad reasons as he equaled the record for the longest over bowled in Indian Premier League (IPL) history while playing for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 9, 2025. Thakur, who joined LSG as a replacement for the injured Mohsin Khan after going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, bowled an astonishing 11 deliveries in the 13th over of the match, matching the records set by Mohammed Siraj and Tushar Deshpande in previous seasons.
This unique feat, however, came with a twist. Thakur also set an unwanted record by bowling five consecutive wides, marking the most by any bowler in IPL history. The previous record was held by notable bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Praveen Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, and Khaleel Ahmed, who all managed to bowl four wides in a single over.
Despite the rough patch in the over, Thakur's performance had its silver lining. He managed to claim the wicket of KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, who was in fine form, scoring 61 runs off just 35 balls before being dismissed. The wicket came at a crucial time when KKR was looking strong in their chase of LSG's mammoth total of 239.
LSG's innings was powered by explosive performances from Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran, who scored 81 and 87 runs, respectively. Aiden Markram also chipped in with a solid 47 off 28 balls, helping LSG set a daunting target for KKR. The batting display was a testament to LSG's intent and capability, showcasing their depth in batting.
In response, KKR started their chase with a promising foundation, thanks to Venkatesh Iyer's quickfire 45 runs off 29 balls. However, after Rahane's dismissal, KKR struggled to maintain their momentum. Thakur struck again, dismissing the dangerous Andre Russell for just seven runs, further denting KKR's hopes of a successful chase.
As the match progressed, Rinku Singh attempted to steer KKR towards victory with a blistering 38 runs off just 15 balls, but it wasn't enough. KKR fell short of the target, finishing their innings at 234 runs for the loss of 7 wickets, thereby losing the match by a narrow margin of five runs. This defeat marked KKR's second home loss of the season, raising questions about their consistency.
Thakur's bowling figures concluded at 2 wickets for 52 runs in his four overs, bringing his tally to nine wickets in five matches this season. His performance, despite the record-breaking over, highlighted his ability to take crucial wickets at pivotal moments, a quality that LSG will look to capitalize on as the tournament progresses.
With this victory, LSG has now won three out of their five matches in IPL 2025, positioning themselves favorably in the league standings. They are set to face the Gujarat Titans next at the Ekana Stadium on April 12, 2025, in what promises to be another thrilling contest.
As the IPL 2025 season unfolds, fans can expect more drama, records, and nail-biting finishes. For more updates, follow CricXtasy on social media platforms.
