'Wanted To Be A Keeper Like MS Dhoni': Yash Thakur's Childhood Coach

Yash Thakur celebrating one of his five GT wickets in IPL 2024 (BCCI)Yash Thakur celebrating one of his five GT wickets in IPL 2024 (BCCI)

Tearaway fast bowler Yash Thakur bowled his way to an emphatic Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) in match number 21 of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) season. 

Stepping up in the absence of injured Mayank Yadav, the 25-year-old snared five Gujarat Titans wickets, including the prized-scalps of Shubman Gill and Rahul Tewatia during his four-over spell.

While Thakur’s latest bowling spectacle made him another potential Team India star for the future, his childhood coach Praveen Hinganikar recently claimed that the cricketer initially dreamed of becoming a wicketkeeper like MS Dhoni.


Yash Thakur’s coach narrates pacer’s journey to IPL

Born in Kolkata, Yash Thakur made his domestic cricket debut for Vidarbha back in February 2017 as a new-ball speedster. 

Hinganikar further added that he directed Thakur in becoming a fast bowler instead, owing to the youngster’s “ideal physique” for bowling. 

While speaking with OneIndia Bengali, the coach said:

“I told Yash to bowl in the nets. His physique looked ideal for bowling and after watching him bowl, I advised him to leave wicketkeeping and stress on his bowling. Yash wanted to be a wicketkeeper and my advice made him upset. But after watching him keep for 2-3 months, I thought bowling would be his ideal role.”

On April 7 at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium, Yash Thakur dismantled Gujarat Titans entire batting line-up with figures of 5-30 from his 3.5 overs. 

The spell marked the first five-fer of his T20 career, and he was fittingly adjudged as ‘Player of the Match’ for his efforts.

Yash Thakur along with the rest of his LSG teammates will now face Delhi Capitals in match number 26 of the IPL 2024 season on April 12. The much-awaited contest will also be staged in Lucknow.