IPL 2023 / Irfan Pathan was surprised by the explosion of this player – told beyond expectations

IPL 2023: Team India's star cricketer Shardul Thakur gave Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) an easy win against his old IPL rival Royal Challengers Bangalore (KKR) with a tremendous all-round performance. Shardul Thakur played a tremendous inning of 68 runs in just 29 balls on Thursday night to take Kolkata to a strong score of 204 for 7 in 20 overs. Shardul hit 9 fours and 3 sixes in his stormy innings. Shardul Thakur saved Kolkata from a critical situation by forming a big partnership with Riku Singh.

Pathan was surprised by the explosion of this player

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised Shardul Thakur's innings and said that no one expected such an innings from Shardul. Talking to Star Sports, Irfan Pathan said, 'The innings played by Shardul in difficult conditions was commendable. When he took the field, half the KKR team had gone to the dug out, but he changed the course of the match with his counter-attack. You can expect such innings from Andre Russell, Nitish Rana and Mandeep Singh, but the havoc that Shardul wreaked was amazing. You can expect 30-35 runs from Shardul, but such an innings is beyond anyone's expectations.

Told beyond expectations

Shardul was traded by KKR to Delhi Capitals and he justified his inclusion in the team. Shardul Thakur had hit 68 runs in 29 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). At one point, Kolkata Knight Riders lost their 5 wickets for 89 runs in 11.3 overs. It seemed that KKR's team would be bundled out for 120 runs from here, but all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who came out to bat at number seven, took Kolkata Knight Riders' score to 204, hitting 68 runs off 29 balls. On the basis of this innings of Shardul Thakur, Kolkata Knight Riders registered a big win by 81 runs. Shardul Thakur has been adjudged 'Man of the Match' for his excellent performance.