Shardul Thakur Sets Unwanted Record with Joint Longest Over in IPL History

Shardul Thakur has found himself making headlines in IPL 2025, though not always for the right reasons. The fast bowler, who joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as a replacement for the injured Mohsin Khan, has now become the co-holder of an unwanted IPL record. 

THE LONGEST OVER: A RARE RECORD

In a match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on Tuesday, Thakur bowled the joint-longest over in IPL history. During the 13th over of KKR's innings, Thakur sent down 11 deliveries, matching the record set previously by Tushar Deshpande and Mohammed Siraj. Deshpande had bowled an 11-ball over against LSG in IPL 2023, while Siraj had done the same against Mumbai Indians in the same season. 

A SERIES OF UNWANTED RECORDS

But the record-breaking didn’t end there for Thakur. He also became the first bowler in IPL history to bowl five wides in a single over—an unfortunate feat that highlights his struggles on the fiBeforeor to him, bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah (2015), Praveen Kumar (2017), Mohammed Siraj (2023), and Khaleel Ahmed (2024) had each bowled four wides in a row, but Thakur's five-wides streak is now a notable low in IPL history.

THAKUR'S REDEMPTION: A 

KEY BREAKTHROUGH

Despite the blunders, Thakur found a way to redeem himself in the same over. After a string of missteps, he took the crucial wicket of KKR's captain, Ajinkya Rahane, who had been batting superbly. Rahane was dismissed for 61 off 35 balls at a time when KKR were in a strong position, with the score at 162/2. The wicket seemed to trigger a collapse for KKR, who slipped to 185/7 before ultimately falling short of the target by just five runs.

A VITAL CONTRIBUTION TO LSG's VICTORY

Thakur continued his impactful performance later in the match, claiming the wicket of Andre Russell for just 7 runs in the 17th over. His overall bowling figures stood at 2/52 from four overs. With 9 wickets in just five matches, Thakur has proven himself to be a vital player for LSG in IPL 2025.

Despite a late surge from Rinku Singh, who made an unbeaten 38 off 15 balls, KKR's chase of 239 fell short, finishing at 234/7. This marked their third loss of the season, with two of those defeats occurring at home.

Thakur's mixed performance highlights both the unpredictability and excitement of T20 cricket. His ability to make critical breakthroughs, even after moments of struggle, was crucial in LSG's narrow victory.