Thu Mar 27 21:33:00 UTC 2025: ## IPL 2025: Shardul Thakur Calls for Fairer Pitches After Stellar Performance

**Hyderabad, March 28, 2025** – Lucknow Super Giants’ Shardul Thakur delivered a match-winning performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2025, taking four wickets for 34 runs and earning the Player of the Match award. However, his impressive display was overshadowed by his concerns about the current state of IPL pitches.

Thakur, who joined LSG as a replacement for the injured Mohsin Khan, criticized the pitches for favoring batsmen and making it difficult for bowlers. He stated that the current conditions, especially in light of the impact player rule, make it unfair for bowlers when teams consistently score 240-250 runs. He advocated for pitches that offer a better balance between batting and bowling.

The 33-year-old all-rounder, who went unsold at the IPL auction, recounted his journey back into the league. He revealed he had planned to play County Cricket if he hadn’t received a call from Zaheer Khan offering him a spot with LSG. His impressive start to the match included taking the wickets of Abhishek Sharma (6) and Ishan Kishan (0) in consecutive balls. He attributed his success to seizing opportunities, mirroring the aggressive batting styles of players like Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. Thakur’s performance highlighted the ongoing debate regarding pitch preparation and fairness in the IPL.

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