• Source:JND
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IPL 2024: Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur is all set for the IPL 2024 as he gears up for his second stint at Chennai Super Kings and remains excited to "grow" under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni after a not-so-great season last year.

Shardul is fresh from a title-winning run with Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, having contributed with the bat as well in the crucial times including his all-important knock of 75 runs in the final against Vidarbha.

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He became a part of the CSK squad in 2018 with the franchise making its return to the tournament after two years and helped them clinch the title with a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.

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Thakur went on to play for the MS Dhoni-led side till 2021 before plying his trade with Delhi Capitals (2022) and Kolkata Knight Riders (2023).

He will return to CSK this season after being bought for INR 4 crore.

"Honestly, I did not have a great IPL last year," Thakur was quoted by PTI as saying.

Thakur averaged 14.13 with the bat and managed to take just seven wickets in the 11 IPL games he played last year.

"I am very excited to play under Mahi Bhai. There is something or the other that you take away from the game when you are playing with him. He is standing behind the stumps, guiding you, allowing you to grow," he said on the sidelines of Mumbai's 42nd Ranji Trophy title win.

Thakur credited Dhoni's leadership which majorly follows the philosophy of allowing individuals to express themselves.

"I think that's the biggest quality that he possesses, he gives a lot of freedom to players and asks them to take ownership of their performances, and I am excited to join CSK again, I will say I am playing for a team that values family and values family culture," said the all-rounder.

Apart from Thakur, CSK included new faces like youngster Sameer Rizvi and New Zealand all-rounders Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra in their squad for the 17th edition of the IPL.

Having represented Kings XI Punjab (Now Punjab Kings), Rising Pune Supergiants, CSK, Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata Knight Riders, Thakur has 89 wickets and 286 runs to his name in 86 IPL career matches.

Talking about Chennai Super Kings, they will be heading into the 2024 edition as the defending champions, having lifted their record-equaling fifth IPL title last year after defeating Gujarat Titans in the final.

The IPL 2024 is all set to kick off on March 22 with the first match scheduled to be played between defending champions CSK and Royal Challengers Bangalore in at Chepauk.