India’s all-rounder Shardul Thakur encountered an injury scare during a net session at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Saturday, December 30. The incident occurred as Shardul was facing throwdowns from batting coach Vikram Rathour in preparation for the second Test set to begin on January 3 in Cape Town.
While taking throwdowns, Shardul Thakur was struck on the shoulder by a delivery that unexpectedly bounced awkwardly from a good length bowled by Vikram Rathour. The extra bounce caught Shardul off guard, and he visibly winced in pain.
Although he continued to bat through the discomfort, the severity of the injury remains uncertain, and the need for scans will be determined in due course, according to PTI news agency. Despite the injury, Shardul exhibited resilience and continued his batting session.
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However, after completing the nets, he received treatment from the team physio, who applied an ice pack to the affected shoulder. Shardul was the first player to step into the nets for throwdowns but refrained from further participation in the training after the initial session.
STORY | Shardul Thakur gets hit on shoulder at nets in South Africa
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VIDEO: #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/4357zyDm3J
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 30, 2023
In the first Test at Centurion, Shardul Thakur’s performance was subpar as he conceded 101 runs in 19 overs. India faced challenges in maintaining control, with Shardul and debutant Prasidh Krishna struggling in contrast to the tight bowling from Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and R Ashwin.
South Africa capitalized, posting 408 runs in their first innings and securing an innings victory by 32 runs as India managed only 245 and 131 in both innings. The uncertainty surrounding Shardul Thakur’s availability for the second Test in Cape Town adds to India’s concerns, especially with Mohammed Shami already ruled out due to injury.
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In response, India added Avesh Khan to the Test squad as Shami’s replacement. Avesh showcased his skills in India A’s tour game against South Africa A, and his notable performance in the ODI series, where he claimed six wickets, makes him a valuable addition to the team ahead of the crucial second Test.
