Shardul Thakur's 'dominance' continues with 6-wicket haul in Ranji Trophy: 'He must be on that flight to England'

In a thrilling display of cricketing prowess, the Mumbai star delivered a breathtaking performance with the ball during the Ranji quarterfinal, successfully steering his team back into the game with an incredible six-fer. Negotiating the tricky conditions with ease, he helped the reigning champions take an impressive 14-run lead over Haryana, firmly establishing their dominance. His contribution was crucial to Mumbai's success, as he secured the first breakthrough by removing opener Lakshhya Dalal for 34, before unleashing a deadly spell that left Haryana's lower-middle and tailenders reeling. Displaying remarkable skill and precision, the Mumbai star went on to dismiss Haryana's last five batters on his own, single-handedly shifting the momentum in Mumbai's favour and securing a hard-fought victory in this crucial clash.

The 33-year-old was disciplined in his line and length to trouble the Haryana batters, who claimed three lbws to break their backs. Mumbai bundled out Haryana for 301 after posting 315 in the first innings.

The fans on social media lavished praise on Thakur's performances and suggested that he should be picked for the England tour in the summer.

The seamer has been on a redemption arc for Mumbai after a below-par white-ball season in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Thakur said conditions were tough in the white-ball tournaments, the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, in which his economy rate was high.

In VHT, he took 10 wickets in seven matches at an economy of 6.56, whereas in SMAT, he finished as the joint third-highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets in nine matches but at an economy rate of 10.51.

However, he has been in brilliant form with the red ball since the Ranji resumption as he claimed eight wickets in Mumbai's last match, including a first-innings hat-trick, against Meghalaya to put their campaign back on track. Thakur and Tanush Kotian grabbed four wickets each as rampant Mumbai stormed to an innings and 456-run win over Meghalaya to top the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A table. Thakur received the 'Player of the Match' award for his four-wicket hauls in both innings and a knock of 84 in the first innings. The fast-bowling all-rounder showcased his stroke making and power-hitting skills during a 42-ball 84 at a strike rate of 200.

With a six-wicket haul against Haryana, Shardul has taken his tally to 30 wickets at an average of 23.95, with best figures of 6/58 this season. In nine innings with the bat, Thakur has scored 396 runs at an average of over 40, including a century and three fifties.

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