Shiv Mathur

Born on the first day of the millennium in a quaint town in India, Shiv Mathur's journey to cricketing prominence began like many South Asian children—honing his skills with a tennis ball in narrow bylanes, the walls and windows serving as eager spectators. His prodigious talent with the bat was evident from an early age, characterised by an almost uncanny elegance and an ability to adapt his technique to suit any bowling attack.

Shiv's first foray into competitive cricket was during school tournaments, where his performances quickly caught the eyes of district selectors. By the age of 15, he had become a backbone for his state's junior team, using his adaptable batting approach—equally proficient against pace and spin—to amass runs and lead his team to numerous victories. His performances opened the doors to a professional debut in domestic cricket at the tender age of 18.

A defining moment came during the Ranji Trophy semi-final in 2018, where Shiv's calm demeanour under pressure saw him put up a crucial century, effectively steering his team to the finals. This innings was as much a testament to his technical prowess as to his mental fortitude, forever etching his name in the annals of domestic cricket history. It wouldn't be long before the national selectors took notice, beckoning his entry into the international scene.

Among Shiv's many laurels, his contributions during the epic bilateral series against Australia in 2022 stand out prominently. In what became one of the most compelling cricketing rivalries of recent times, his ability to dissect the opposition's plans, adapt his batting technique accordingly, and craft innings of substance and style was instrumental in sealing India's victory. This remarkable display included an unforgettable match-winning century under floodlights at the MCG, which commentators and fans alike still regard as masterclass in pacing an innings.

Interestingly, Shiv is also a somewhat underestimated bowler. Though primarily a batsman, his versatile bowling—relying on subtle variations and impeccable control—has, on more than one occasion, provided crucial breakthroughs at the right moments. While he doesn't bowl often in ODIs or Tests, his mix of off-spin and medium-pace variations have caught a few seasoned batsmen off guard, swinging matches back in his team’s favour.

Shiv Mathur's career has been punctuated with moments that underscore his impact on the game—a batsman capable of steadying the ship as well as pushing it into overdrive, a cricketer who relishes pressure, making him a luminary in modern cricket.

Batting Stats

Bowling Stats