Who is Yash Thakur - LSG's newest young gun?

For the last few years, Yash Thakur has always been part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) but on all occasions, he has only ended up as a net-bowler for various franchises. Last year too, the pacer was involved with the Punjab Kings set up, as a net bowler. 

However, this year, everything changed when Lucknow Super Giants splashed the cash on the youngster, who has a proven record at the domestic level, having risen through the Indian U-19 ranks. Thakur finally made his IPL debut against Chennai Super kings on April 3 in Chennai. However, he had to wait until his next game - against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) - to pick up his first wicket. But in Lucknow on April 28, he polised off Punjab Kings with a four-wicket haul.

So, who really is Yash Thakur? 

Rise to fame

Vidarbha vs Delhi, 2022 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and a place in the semi-final of the competition. Delhi needed just nine runs off the last over, and Thakur delivered a stunning over that saw Vidarbha beat the domestic giants, Delhi to enter the SMAT semi-final. 

Another match-winner with the ball, and that’s how really Thakur made his presence felt at the domestic level. A right-arm pacer, who has an action similar to Navdeep Saini with the ability to swing the ball either way and can bowl at the early 140s. 

His wicket-taking ability is well noted, with 15 wickets in 10 games during the previous edition of the SMAT. 

What are the numbers like?

In his T20 career, Thakur has struck 60 times, while maintaining an economy rate of 6.86. Not just that, his adaptability, to bowl with the new ball and at the death is something that has caught the eye of the Lucknow franchise. If you think that was it, then you would be stunned by this next stat. 

Thakur has an incredible average of 14.8. If you look at the break-up too, 20 of his wickets have come at the death, where he has an average of 7.3 and an economy rate of 67.2, indicating his talent. Not just that, he is an able new-ball bowler, with six wickets, and an economy rate of 6.4. 

He’s done all of this at the age of 24, in a country where spin is more dominant than pace. 

What’s Lucknow need for a pacer?

Lucknow Super Giants had a very good pace unit last year, especially with how Mohsin Khan had performed for them. Mohsin struck 14 times for the franchise and maintained an economy rate of 5.97, and picked up prized scalps such as Andre Russell. Mohsin was used both in the powerplay and at the death, and that’s something that Thakur does with ease as well. 

“I was the net bowler for the Punjab Kings franchise of which KL Rahul was the captain. Now he is heading Lucknow Super Giants. I have experience of playing under his guidance. It will be a nice experience altogether and I am looking forward to it,” Thakur told Lokmat Times. 

While Lucknow were unaware of his fitness, the move to buy Thakur at the Auction seems like a million dollar now, given he could don the Mohsin role like a glove.