Shivsinh Jaysinh Thakor, known as Shiv Thakor, is a promising cricket player hailing from England. Born in Leicestershire, he has captivated the attention of the city’s sizeable Indian community, serving as an inspiring role model for young aspiring cricketers in the area.
Thakor’s cricketing journey began at a tender age, as he was involved with Leicestershire County Cricket Club at the under-9 level. Despite some challenges, he continued to nurture his skills and faith in his potential as a cricketer. In 2014, following some discontent over the treatment of a hand injury and a season of relative inactivity, he decided to make a move and joined Derbyshire.
It was at Derbyshire where Thakor truly started to make his mark. In his second season at the club, he began to consistently showcase his prowess with both bat and ball, becoming one of the standout performers in a struggling team. Unfortunately, his 2016 season was cut short due to a back stress fracture. However, he bounced back the following summer, scoring his maiden limited-overs century against Northants.
Thakor possesses not only sporting talent but also academic capabilities. Despite receiving offers to study Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at prestigious universities such as Cardiff, Durham, and Loughborough, he made a courageous decision to prioritize his cricketing career by committing full-time to Leicestershire.
In 2011, Thakor etched his name in the record books as the first Leicestershire-born cricketer to score a century on his first-class debut. This remarkable achievement, a score of 134 against Loughborough MCCU, was also notable as the youngest first-class century in the club’s history. Additionally, he holds the distinction of being the youngest player to reach a century for Leicestershire at the age-group level.
His resolute commitment to cricket was demonstrated in the 2012 season, where he topped the Leicestershire averages in both the Championship and 40-over cricket. With an impressive average of 61 over 10 innings, Thakor showcased his solid technique on challenging pitches. Notably, he batted for seven hours across two innings against Northamptonshire, saving a draw and earning accolades for his determined performance.
Thakor’s talent also earned him a place in the England Under-19 team, where he participated in Test and one-day series against Sri Lanka in 2011. However, he faced disappointment when he was unexpectedly left out of the Under-19 World Cup squad in Australia the following year. Nonetheless, he was selected as captain for a tour of South Africa in 2013. Unfortunately, a broken finger in a warm-up match resulted in a delayed surgery and a disrupted playing season.
Despite setbacks and multiple operations, Thakor remains determined to pursue his cricketing ambitions. Although his time with Leicestershire County Cricket Club faced an inevitable break, it is clear that Thakor’s love for the game and his achievements thus far have cemented his status as an exciting and talented cricketer.
Shivsinh Jaysinh Thakor’s inspiring journey, combined with his unwavering commitment and achievements, have marked him as a noteworthy figure in English cricket. As he continues to strive for success, Thakor serves as an inspiration to young cricketers aspiring to make their mark in the sport.
