"We need him in the India Test Team" - Fans erupt as Shardul Thakur scores century for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy match vs J&K after big guns fail

Shardul Thakur starred with the bat for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir at BKC on Day 2 (Friday, January 24). The right-hander scored a timely century to help the hosts take a 188-run lead at the stumps after his team was reduced to 101/7.

His unbeaten 113-run knock came as big guns Rohit Sharma (28), Yashasvi Jaiswal (26), Ajikya Rahane (16), Shreyas Iyer (17), and Shivam Dube (duck) failed to make a mark.

Shardul has already stitched together an unbeaten 150-plus partnership with Tanush Kotian (58* off 119 deliveries) to recover Mumbai from blemishes.

The 33-year-old was also the top scorer for Mumbai in the first essay, scoring 51 runs off 57 balls, as they were bundled out for 120. The all-rounder also bagged two wickets in the first innings against J&K.

Fans on X lauded Shardul Thakur for his century for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy match. Former India player Irfan Pathan wrote:

"How good @imShard has been for Mumbai in Ranji trophy. A knock of 100 came at the time when Mumbai was 101/7 from there he took his team to 250+. Thakur ke hath abhi bhi lambe hai.."

A user wrote:

"Shardul Thakur by today's 100 has proved the IPL teams that he's not finished yet."

Another user wrote:

"SHARDUL THAKUR "WAS" SAVIOUR & "IS" FIGHTER. We need him in the India Test Team.

Here are a few more reactions:

Shardul Thakur was recently ignored for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The all-rounder last represented India in the two-match Test series in South Africa in December 2023.

Thakur has over 2,000 runs in first-class cricket, including 13 half-centuries and one hundred. The medium pacer has also bagged 277 wickets in 88 first-class games as well.

Besides Tests, he was recently ignored by all 10 franchises at the IPL 2025 mega auction.

---

"I like batting in difficult situations" - Shardul Thakur relishes batting in challenging situations

Shardul Thakur said that batting in tough situations brings the best out of him. He told ESPNcricinfo on Thursday:

"I like batting in difficult situations. In easy situations, everyone does well, but how you put up the show in adverse situations matters. I see tough situations as a challenge and always think about how to overcome that challenge."

Notably, Shardul once played a crucial knock of 67 runs off 115 balls when India beat Australia by three wickets in Brisbane to win the 2020-21 BGT by a 2-1 margin.

He will look to deliver in the remaining matches for Mumbai and make his case stronger for India's tour of England later this year.

Follow the Ranji Trophy live score and updates here.