India pacer Shardul Thakur expressed gratitude to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for their support earlier in his career and expressed confidence in replicating his title-winning performances for the team in IPL 2024. CSK’s faith in him was evident as they reacquired Shardul at the IPL 2024 auction for Rs. 4 crore after he was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders.
“Yes, they bid for me, but they also like me as a player, and they trust in my abilities. Also, when I played with them from 2018 until 2021, they invested a lot in me and gave me a lot of game time in the IPL. There were a lot of ups and downs for me in the IPL, but they backed me completely until the last game of the tournament,” Shardul said while speaking on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel.
Shardul Thakur aims for more title-winning performances in IPL 2024
Shardul Thakur has a remarkable history with CSK, highlighted by being the highest wicket-taker for the team during their IPL title-winning campaigns in 2018 and 2021. Despite facing challenges in one of those finals, CSK’s unwavering support for Thakur showcased their belief in his on-field capabilities.
“In fact, we lost the final; I didn’t have a great final. Despite that, they backed me, and two years later, I had the fortune of experiencing the championship with them. I was the highest wicket-taker for CSK in 2018 and 2021, when we won. So, both the championships. I have a feeling I might repeat it this time,” Shardul added.
Thakur shares a deep connection with the team and its fans, particularly cherishing the vibrant atmosphere during Chennai’s home games. The enthusiastic cheers, especially for captain MS Dhoni, left a lasting impression on Thakur. This supportive environment, coupled with his past successes, instils Thakur with the confidence that he can play a pivotal role in CSK’s pursuit of another IPL title.
As the IPL 2024 approaches, Thakur eagerly anticipates donning the yellow jersey and showcasing his skills in front of the passionate Chennai crowd. Given his track record and the franchise’s evident confidence, Thakur is optimistic about making significant contributions to CSK’s success in the upcoming tournament.
