‘Lord Has Arrived’: Social Media Hails Shardul Thakur’s Three-Wicket Haul Against KKR
Mumbai Indians debutant Shardul Thakur delivered a sensational performance in his first IPL 2026 game at Wankhede Stadium, removing three big Kolkata Knight Riders batsmen and drawing widespread praise on social media.
Thakur first dismissed Finn Allen for 37 off 17 balls. The experienced pacer started his over with a slower short-of-length delivery that Allen tried to drive, only to send it straight to long-on.
It was bowled at just 117kph outside off and Allen could manage only a meek shove in the air. Thakur's bowling came after Jasprit Bumrah’s opening over was taken for 11 runs.
Cameron Green, who KKR bought for Rs 25.20 crore, also fell for 18, dismissed by Thakur with a slower short ball outside off-stump that Green smashed into the hands of the fielder at deep cover.
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He then struck again, removing KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane for 67 off 40 balls.
How Did Shardul Thakur Dismiss Ajinkya Rahane?
Thakur floated a fuller delivery outside off-stump, which Rahane attempted to clear over covers. The ball stuck into the surface, Rahane mistimed it straight up, and Hardik Pandya completed a simple catch at extra cover.
The Wankhede crowd erupted at each breakthrough as Thakur showcased his experience and control.
Analysts noted the impact of his bowling on KKR’s momentum, with the team slowing down and making mistakes under pressure.
Shardul Thakur ended his spell with figures of 3/39 in 4 overs, keeping the economy rate just under 10.
Sixty-one percent of Thakur’s deliveries today were slower balls, which helped put the brakes on KKR’s explosive start.
Social media users were quick to celebrate the local boy’s remarkable debut.
One user wrote on X, “Lord Shardul Thakur has arrived at Wankhede, the local Boy.”
Another added, “Shardul thakur is a golden armed man,” while a third commented, “Lord shardul thakur is unstoppable at Wankhede stadium.”
Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi's half-centuries powered KKR to 220 in twenty overs.