IPL 2018, Qualifier 1, SRH vs CSK: 5 talking points

#2 Shardul Thakur makes amends

Shardul Thakur had a bad day with the ball but made up for it with the bat and in some style too

Shardul Thakur's IPL 2018 has been a mixed bag with a number of inconsistent performances and tonight's match proved a similar experience as he struggled with the ball, conceding 50 runs in his four overs on a night when the opposition had scored only 139 runs in their 20 overs.

He was the unlucky bowler when Carlos Brathwaite got into his stride in the final over of the SRH innings, in which 20 runs were scored but Thakur made amends when the opportunity came his way with the bat.

Faf du Plessis's gritty innings had helped CSK stay in the contest but they still needed 27 to win off 13 balls with just two wickets in hand when Thakur walked into the crease.

One would have expected Thakur to just knock the ball and hand the strike to Du Plessis but the young fast bowler took matters into his own hands and came out with flying colours, scoring 15 runs off just 5 balls, playing his part in a 27-run partnership that led CSK to an unlikely win.