Watch: Shardul Thakur hit two sixes en route to a belligerent fifty against Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy 2024 final.

Despite hitting his maiden first-class hundred, against Tamil Nadu in the semi-final, Shardul Thakur’s overall first-class batting average of 17.84 was lower than his Test average of 19.47 coming into the game.

In the final against Vidarbha at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai openers Prithvi Shaw (46) and Bhupen Lalwani (37) added 81 after Akshay Wadkar won the toss and opted to field.

But the middle order caved in, and Mumbai were reeling at 111-6 when Thakur walked out to join Shams Mulani. He attacked from the onset, and was last out in a total of 224. He eventually made 75 in 69 balls out of the 113 Mumbai made during his stay.

Thakur hit eight fours and three sixes during his onslaught. Of his two sixes, two were delightful straight hits to reach from 21 to 27, and from 43 to 49: the latter landed in the Vidarbha dressing room. He ran a single next ball to complete his fifty off only 36 balls.

For Vidarbha, left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey (3-62) and seam bowler Yash Thakur (3-54) claimed three wickets apiece. Shardul Thakur got opener Dhruv Shorey for a duck soon afterwards. At the time of writing, Vidarbha were 9-1 with Atharva Taide (7) and Aman Mokhade (0) at the crease.

Watch Shardul Thakur smash two sixes en route to fifty in the 2024 Ranji Trophy final:

High…and almost into his own dressing room 🔥@imShard smashes one straight down the ground for a 6⃣. He has played some sparkling shots so far, trying to steady the ship for Mumbai. 👌@IDFCFIRSTBank | #Final | #MUMvVID

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/k7JhkLhOID pic.twitter.com/7fhuO46IAI

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) March 10, 2024

This one lands in the opposition dressing room 🔥

A 6⃣ and a single gets @imShard to his 5⃣0⃣, off just 37 balls. 🙌@IDFCFIRSTBank | #Final | #MUMvVID

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/k7JhkLhOID pic.twitter.com/jZCllvW3Iw

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) March 10, 2024

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