Sometimes, all a player needs is a sense of belonging and that’s exactly what Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya wanted to give Shardul Thakur ahead of the IPL 2026.
Before the season began, Mumbai Indians made a trade move, bringing Shardul Thakur into the squad in place of Arjun Tendulkar. For Shardul Thakur, this was yet another new team in what has been a long journey across the IPL. Over the years, he has played for multiple franchises including Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rising Pune Supergiants, Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings.
But this time, things feel different.
Hardik Pandya revealed that he had a heartfelt conversation with Shardul Thakur, telling him that it was time to stop moving from one team to another and instead settle down. He made it clear that Mumbai Indians should be his long-term home. The message was simple – stay, grow and build your legacy here.
The support didn’t go unnoticed and Shardul Thakur responded in style. Playing his first match for Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, he delivered a standout performance with the ball. He picked up three crucial wickets, dismissing key players from Kolkata Knight Riders including captain Ajinkya Rahane, Finn Allen and Cameron Green, and played a big role in restricting the opposition.
In many ways, it was a perfect homecoming. Shardul Thakur had earlier been part of Mumbai Indians setup as a net bowler between 2010 and 2012, long before he became a known name.
Now, with strong backing from his captain and a memorable debut, this could finally be the place where Shardul Thakur settles and shines for years to come.
