Shardul Thakur is one of India’s most energetic and reliable fast bowlers. He is loved for his fearless spirit, fighting attitude, and his ability to break big partnerships. Known as the “Palghar Express”, Shardul’s journey from a small town to the Indian cricket team is full of hard work and dreams coming true. Let’s read about his life story, height, age, girlfriend, family, controversies, and more.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shardul Narendra Thakur |
| Nickname | Palghar Express, Lord Shardul |
| Date of Birth | 16 October 1991 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 33 years |
| Birthplace | Palghar, Maharashtra, India |
| Hometown | Palghar, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Education | Swami Vivekanand International School, Palghar University of Mumbai |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Weight | Around 70 kg |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Father’s Name | Narendra Thakur |
| Mother’s Name | Name not publicly known |
| Siblings | 1 elder sister |
| Marital Status | Engaged |
| Fiancée / Girlfriend | Mittali Parulkar |
| Profession | Cricketer (Fast Bowler, All-Rounder) |
| Domestic Team | Mumbai |
| IPL Teams | Kings XI Punjab, Rising Pune Supergiant, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders |
| International Debut (ODI) | 31 August 2017 vs Sri Lanka |
| International Debut (Test) | 12 October 2018 vs West Indies |
| International Debut (T20I) | 21 February 2018 vs South Africa |
| Role in Team | Right-arm Medium-Fast Bowler & Lower-order Batsman |
| Jersey Number | 54 (current) |
| Notable Controversy | Jersey number 10 issue — changed it to respect Sachin Tendulkar |
| Hobbies | Listening to music, travelling, enjoying home-cooked meals |
| Favourite Cricketer | MS Dhoni |
| Nickname by Fans | Palghar Express, Lord Thakur |
| Known For | Breaking partnerships, match-saving performances, fearless batting |
Life and Childhood
Shardul Narendra Thakur was born on 16 October 1991 in Palghar, a small town in Maharashtra, India. His father, Narendra Thakur, worked very hard to raise him. His mother also supported Shardul a lot during his early days.
Shardul loved cricket since he was a small boy. He used to play with tennis balls in narrow streets and on dusty grounds. He would bowl fast and bat fearlessly. His teachers remember him as a naughty but active boy. He always wanted to do something big for India.
When he was in school, he travelled 80 km every day from Palghar to Mumbai to practice cricket. He used to get tired but never stopped. His coach remembers how Shardul would carry his kit bag on crowded local trains. His dedication made him strong and disciplined.
Education Details
Shardul studied at Swami Vivekanand International School, Palghar. He was not a topper but did well enough to pass his exams. He always balanced studies and cricket. Later, he studied at the University of Mumbai. Even during his college years, he focused more on cricket than books. His family always said education is important, but they never stopped him from chasing his dream.
Domestic Cricket Journey
Shardul Thakur started playing domestic cricket for Mumbai in the 2012 Ranji Trophy. In his debut season, he was not very impressive. People mocked him for being a bit overweight. But he worked hard on his fitness. He ran extra miles, ate healthy food, and bowled longer spells.
In the 2013-14 Ranji Trophy, he took 27 wickets in 6 matches. Next season, he was Mumbai’s highest wicket-taker with 48 wickets. He helped Mumbai win the Ranji Trophy many times. His performances caught the eyes of selectors, and soon he was ready for the big stage.
International Cricket Career
Shardul’s international debut came in August 2017 when he played his first ODI against Sri Lanka. He bowled well and became known for his fighting spirit. He made his T20I debut in 2018 and Test debut in 2018 too.
In the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Shardul showed his magic. He took 7 wickets and scored a match-saving 67 runs at the Gabba. His fearless batting and smart bowling helped India win a historic series. This match made him a hero overnight.
Shardul has played many memorable matches since then. He played an important role in the 2021 England tour too, where he smashed two fifties at The Oval Test. His teammates call him “Lord Shardul” because he often performs miracles when no one expects.
IPL Career and Achievements
Shardul Thakur has played for many teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He started with Kings XI Punjab in 2015. Then, he played for Rising Pune Supergiant and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He was MS Dhoni’s trusted bowler in CSK.
Fans love his energy on the field. He celebrates every wicket with a big smile. In 2022, Delhi Capitals bought him. Later, he played for Kolkata Knight Riders too. His all-round abilities make him very valuable in IPL. He can bowl in powerplay and death overs and also hit big sixes when needed.
Playing Style and Strengths
Shardul Thakur is not the fastest bowler in India, but he is clever. He swings the ball both ways. He bowls cutters, slower balls, and uses bouncers well. He always tries to take wickets rather than just stop runs. His fearless approach makes him special.
He is also a handy lower-order batsman. Many times, he has rescued India with the bat. His “never give up” attitude inspires young cricketers.
Height, Age, and Physical Appearance
- Age: 33 years old (as of 2025)
- Height: Around 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
- Weight: Around 70 kg
- Eye Colour: Black
- Hair Colour: Black
Shardul is not the tallest fast bowler but his fitness is good. He keeps working on his strength and stamina to bowl long spells and bat well.
Family and Personal Life
Shardul comes from a simple Maharashtrian family. His father, Narendra Thakur, is proud of his son’s achievements. His mother supported him in all ups and downs. He is very close to his parents and often visits his hometown Palghar.
Shardul has one elder sister. His family always celebrates his successes with traditional Maharashtrian food and simple gatherings.
Girlfriend and Relationship Status
Shardul Thakur got engaged to Mittali Parulkar in November 2021. Mittali is an entrepreneur and runs a bakery brand. The couple often posts cute photos on social media. They look happy and love spending time together. Shardul is very private about his personal life but sometimes shares sweet moments with his fiancée.
Fans love their chemistry and are waiting to see when they will get married. For now, they both focus on their careers and support each other.
Controversies and Challenges
Shardul Thakur’s career has not been full of controversies. He has mostly stayed away from trouble. But once, he faced criticism for wearing a jersey with number 10 on his debut. Fans got angry because number 10 was worn by Sachin Tendulkar. Many felt no one should wear Sachin’s number.
After this, Shardul changed his jersey number to respect the fans’ feelings. He handled the situation calmly. He said he respects Sachin Tendulkar a lot and didn’t want to hurt anyone. This shows how humble and mature he is.
Lesser-Known Facts About Shardul Thakur
- Shardul loves home-cooked food, especially fish curry and rice.
- He is a big fan of MS Dhoni and always thanks Dhoni for his guidance in CSK.
- His nickname “Palghar Express” was given by his fans for his speed and energy.
- He loves listening to music and travelling with friends during free time.
- He believes in hard work and never takes shortcuts.
Future Plans and Hopes
Shardul Thakur wants to become one of India’s best fast-bowling all-rounders. He keeps improving his skills every year. He works with coaches to add new deliveries and improve his batting.
Fans hope to see him play in many more matches for India and win more trophies. Youngsters see him as an inspiration because he comes from a small town and made his big dream come true.
