IPL 2023: "Finally, Lord at Eden Gardens" - Twitterati react as KKR acquire Shardul Thakur in an all-cash deal ahead of mini-auction

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have pulled off a massive deal by acquiring all-rounder Shardul Thakur from the Delhi Capitals (DC) in an all-cash deal. The two-time champions have made the most of the trade window, having also brought in Rahmanullah Garbaz and Lockie Ferguson from the Gujarat Titans (GT).

Rumors had suggested that DC were considering releasing Shardul Thakur from their squad to spruce up their purse for the forthcoming IPL 2023 mini-auctions. The former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder cost the Rishabh Pant-led side a whopping ₹10.75 crore in the mega-auction last year.

DC, the IPL 2020 finalists, waged a huge bidding war against the likes of Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Gujarat Titans (GT) to secure Thakur's services. The all-rounder then found suitors once again as DC announced their intention to put the player up for trade.

This time it was KKR who thwarted competition from GT, PBKS and CSK to brand the player in Purple and Gold ahead of the 2023 season.

A section of fans lauded the franchise for making the most of the trade window, while others believed DC had gotten the better end of the deal. Here are some of the reactions on the social media platform:

Aljeh

@Aljeh5

#kkr walo, Imagine Lord #Shardulthakur , Lord Umesh and #LockieFerguson having a bad day at Field, #ipl #ipl2023

2

#kkr walo, Imagine Lord #Shardulthakur , Lord Umesh and #LockieFerguson having a bad day at Field, #ipl #ipl2023 https://t.co/5yrE6zKkSN

Vathan Ballal

@VathanBallal

Lord Rinku Singh and Lord Shardul Thakur playing together for KKR

#IPL2023 #KKR @KKRiders

2

Lord Rinku Singh and Lord Shardul Thakur playing together for KKR 😂🔥

#IPL2023 #KKR @KKRiders

Chirag Gupta

@ChiragG14

Wow. #KKR grab Shardul Thakur. Hefty price tag. And economy not in his favour. And they mostly spend their entire purse before the auctions itself. And still and Indian batsman short.

Wow. #KKR grab Shardul Thakur. Hefty price tag. And economy not in his favour. And they mostly spend their entire purse before the auctions itself. And still and Indian batsman short.

Sagar

@SagarW_2002

KKR slowly becoming a mumbai lobby
Shreyas Iyer
Aman Khan
Shardul Thakur
Abhishek Nayar

KKR slowly becoming a mumbai lobby
Shreyas Iyer
Aman Khan
Shardul Thakur
Abhishek Nayar

Ashutosh Srivastava

@kingashu1008

Shardul Thakur in IPL 2023 be like
#Shardulthakur #IPL2023

32

6

Shardul Thakur in IPL 2023 be like🔥
#Shardulthakur #IPL2023
https://t.co/9aC5wwyaH6

🏏🏏🏏

@4thUmpire_

Shardul Thakur is going to cost more games than winning. Have a very mixed feelings

1

Shardul Thakur is going to cost more games than winning. Have a very mixed feelings

Straight Drive

@StraightDrive_

Finally Lord in Eden

Heard thar Shardul Thakur has been traded to #KKR from Delhi Capitals 🏏

#IPL2023 #IPLAuction

4

Finally Lord in Eden 😜

Heard thar Shardul Thakur has been traded to #KKR from Delhi Capitals 🏏

#IPL2023 #IPLAuction

Sagar

@SRKsArmour

Venky Mysore before doing andhadhun trades
#ShardulThakur #KKR #IPL2023

4

Venky Mysore before doing andhadhun trades 💔😭
#ShardulThakur #KKR #IPL2023 https://t.co/7jyyKkk14r

Aakash Sivasubramaniam

@aakashs26

So, it is Shardul Thakur to KKR. Now they have Lockie, Shardul and Umesh in the same setup. 🥲 #IPL2023 #IPLAuction

8

So, it is Shardul Thakur to KKR. Now they have Lockie, Shardul and Umesh in the same setup. 🥲 #IPL2023 #IPLAuction

Sharat Mudunuri

@Sharat1408

Lord Rinku Singh and Lord Shardul Thakur at the “Lords of India” - EDEN GARDENS. #KKR @KKRiders

Lord Rinku Singh and Lord Shardul Thakur at the “Lords of India” - EDEN GARDENS. #KKR @KKRiders https://t.co/hMpL08txY5

sayan

@sayantwts

I'm sorry Venky Mysore for doubting you. Thank you!!!! I'm crying happy tears as a KKR fan!!!

#ShardulThakur #KolkataKnightRiders #ipltrade twitter.com/sayantwts/stat…

sayan

@sayantwts

Shardul to KKR?!?!

Nah, who am I kidding. Venky Mysore will probably go after an overrated overseas and waste 10Cr again. Yikes.

#shardulthakur #kkr #IPL2023 twitter.com/cricbuzz/statu…

15

1

Shardul to KKR?!?!

Nah, who am I kidding. Venky Mysore will probably go after an overrated overseas and waste 10Cr again. Yikes.

#shardulthakur #kkr #IPL2023 twitter.com/cricbuzz/statu…

I'm sorry Venky Mysore for doubting you. Thank you!!!! I'm crying happy tears as a KKR fan!!! 😭😭😭💜💜💜

#ShardulThakur #KolkataKnightRiders #ipltrade twitter.com/sayantwts/stat…

Prasenjit Dey

@CricPrasen

Shardul Thakur is a decent T20 asset to have in your squad. But not one to spend 10.75 crores on! DC made a mistake spending that much on him in the last auction. Didn't think another team would repeat that mistake but here we are! Way to go, KKR! #IPL2023

33

2

Shardul Thakur is a decent T20 asset to have in your squad. But not one to spend 10.75 crores on! DC made a mistake spending that much on him in the last auction. Didn't think another team would repeat that mistake but here we are! Way to go, KKR! #IPL2023

∆nkit🏏

@CaughtAtGully

Umesh
Shardul
Cummins
Mavi
Lockie

Tough competition for who gets more 50s while bowling.

86

8

Umesh
Shardul
Cummins
Mavi
Lockie

Tough competition for who gets more 50s while bowling.

Azfaar

@VK18point5

Chad Chandu
#ipltrade

90

16

Chad Chandu🔥🔥
#ipltrade https://t.co/sC86j6eQjq

Y P

@imYash07

As for Shardul Thakur, think he'd have fetched more in the auction and you can see that given many teams were interested in him. KKR kinda eliminated the risk and competition. Maybe currently doesn't seem that wise but it actually is!

As for Shardul Thakur, think he'd have fetched more in the auction and you can see that given many teams were interested in him. KKR kinda eliminated the risk and competition. Maybe currently doesn't seem that wise but it actually is! https://t.co/5g1tPhj5dS

Aditya

@Adityakrsaha

Shardul Thakur at no. 8 will be a perfect replacement for Pat Cummins + the advantage is that they can play an overseas player. twitter.com/CricCrazyJohns…

Johns.

@CricCrazyJohns

Shardul Thakur will be playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2023. (Source - Espn Cricinfo)

4

212

Shardul Thakur will be playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2023. (Source - Espn Cricinfo)

Shardul Thakur at no. 8 will be a perfect replacement for Pat Cummins + the advantage is that they can play an overseas player. twitter.com/CricCrazyJohns…

Kasturi

@missgeminita

Shreyas - Shardul ka Content hi content hoga ab toh🥹
#Shardulthakur #IPL2023 #kkr

Shreyas - Shardul ka Content hi content hoga ab toh🥹
#Shardulthakur #IPL2023 #kkr

Swastik

@KnighRider_17

Venky mama policy

The player who played well against us brings him In

Last year shardul thakur against kkr
With bat 29(11) with bowl 2 wicket

Anyway welcome to kkr @imShard

Venky mama policy

The player who played well against us brings him In

Last year shardul thakur against kkr
With bat 29(11) with bowl 2 wicket 😅

Anyway welcome to kkr @imShard

Shardul Thakur took 15 wickets in IPL 2022

The Mumbai-born all-rounder's first season with DC ended up being his second-most successful season with the ball. He claimed 15 wickets in the season as the side narrowly missed out on qualifying for the playoffs.

Thakur also marked his most successful season with the bat by a big margin while playing for DC. He tallied 120 runs across that campaign, while his second-best season with the bat saw him score just 15 runs.

Thakur was part of the playing XI in all of DC's matches in the 2022 edition as well. They had an injury-riddled season and were desperately short of overseas players at one stage, but the all-rounder was a mainstay for the side.

The IPL franchises will submit a list of their retained and released players by Tuesday, November 15, which will determine their final purse. Teams will have an additional ₹5 crore to spend at the IPL mini-auction, which is scheduled to take place on December 23 in Kochi.

​