Shardul Thakur Birthday Special: Celebrating India's Star All-Rounder As MI Player Turns 35
Celebrate Shardul Thakur's 35th birthday today, October 16, 2026, with a look back at his impactful career. The Indian international bowling all-rounder, now with Mumbai Indians in the IPL, has delivered match-winning performances for Mumbai and India, including IPL titles with CSK and vital Test contributions. Discover his key career stats and achievements.
Indian international cricketer Shardul Thakur marks a significant milestone today, October 16, 2026, as he celebrates his 35th birthday. Known affectionately as 'Lord Shardul' by fans, the right-arm medium-fast bowler and aggressive lower-order batsman has consistently delivered crucial performances across formats, proving his worth as a genuine all-rounder. Born in Palghar, Maharashtra, on October 16, 1991, Thakur has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit for Mumbai and has transitioned his skills onto the international stage with remarkable success. Punam Raut Retires: Star India Women Batter Announces Retirement From International Cricket.
Domestic and IPL Journey
Shardul Thakur's domestic career for Mumbai has been distinguished, highlighted by his instrumental role in Mumbai's 41st Ranji Trophy title victory in the 2015-16 season, where he claimed eight wickets in the final. His ability to pick up wickets at crucial junctures and contribute with the bat made him a sought-after player in the Indian Premier League (IPL). After stints with various franchises, including Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants, Thakur was recently traded to the Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2026 season. He previously won two IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings in 2018 and 2021, showcasing his knack for performing in high-pressure situations.
International Impact
Thakur made his One Day International (ODI) debut for India on August 31, 2017, against Sri Lanka, followed by his T20I debut on February 21, 2018, against South Africa, and Test debut on October 12, 2018, against West Indies. He quickly earned a reputation for breaking partnerships and scoring vital runs down the order. His all-round prowess was particularly evident in India's historic Test series win in Australia (2020-21), where his maiden Test fifty (67 runs) at Gabba was a standout moment. Another memorable performance came in the 2021 Oval Test against England, where his twin half-centuries (57 and 60) and crucial wickets played a pivotal role in India's victory. Jacques Kallis Birthday Special: Celebrating South Africa's Legendary All-Rounder As ICC Hall of Famer Turns 51.
Thakur has also been part of India's Asia Cup-winning squads in 2018 and 2023, further solidifying his place in the national team's white-ball plans.
Career Snapshot (as of October 16, 2026)
| Format | Matches | Runs Scored | Batting Avg | Wickets | Bowling Avg | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 13 | 377 | 18.85 | 33 | 31.03 | 7/61 |
| ODIs | 47 | 329 | 17.32 | 65 | 30.98 | 4/37 |
| T20Is | 25 | 69 | 23.00 | 33 | 23.39 | 4/27 |
| First-Class | 97 | 2688 | 20.83 | 302 | 28.25 | 7/61 |
As Shardul Thakur enters his 35th year, his journey continues to inspire with his fighting spirit and consistent contributions. His ability to turn games with both bat and ball makes him an invaluable asset, and fans eagerly anticipate more 'Lord Shardul' magic on the cricketing field.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2026 10:45 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
