Mumbai’s seasoned seamer Shardul Thakur made history on Thursday by claiming a hat-trick against Meghalaya in a crucial Ranji Trophy 2024/25 match at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy. Opening the bowling, Thakur dismissed Anirudh B, Sumit Kumar, and Jaskirat in a sensational third over, before removing Nishant Chakraborty just a ball later, completing a four-wicket burst within four deliveries.
Thakur Joins Elite Mumbai and Ranji Trophy Club
With this feat, the 33-year-old pacer became only the second bowler to register a hat-trick in the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy, following Rishi Dhawan’s effort for Himachal Pradesh against Pondicherry. Additionally, he is now just the fifth Mumbai bowler to take a hat-trick in Ranji Trophy history, joining:
- Jehangir Behramji Khot (vs Baroda, 1943/44)
- Umesh Narayan Kulkarni (vs Gujarat, 1963/64)
- Abdul Moosabhoy Ismail (vs Saurashtra, 1973/74)
- Royston Harold Dias (vs Bihar, 2023/24)
Mumbai’s Push for a Bonus-Point Victory
Thakur’s 4-14 spell, alongside Mohit Avasthi’s two wickets, left Meghalaya reeling at 29/6 in 12 overs. Mumbai, placed third in Group A, needs an innings victory or a 10-wicket win to earn a bonus point, which would take them to 29 points, tying with J&K. Their qualification hopes also depend on J&K or Baroda not earning more than a single point in their final match.
Thakur’s Stellar Ranji Season
Beyond his bowling heroics, Thakur has been a key performer with the bat as well, scoring 297 runs this season, including a century and two fifties, while taking 20 wickets in seven matches.
With Mumbai’s knockout qualification at stake, the experienced campaigner’s match-winning impact could prove decisive in their quest for the Ranji Trophy title.