Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur suffered a setback during the IPL 2024 when he picked up an ankle injury that sidelined him for four months. He underwent surgery in London on June 12 and recently marked his return to competitive cricket. Thakur played for Mumbai against KSCA Secretary’s XI in the Dr. K Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament in Bengaluru, signalling the start of his comeback.
In his first match post-recovery, Thakur bowled eight overs but was unable to take a wicket, conceding 29 runs. His performance with the bat also fell short as he was dismissed for a duck. Despite these initial struggles, reports suggest that Thakur is set to feature for Mumbai in the upcoming Irani Cup, starting October 1 at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
The venue change from Wankhede Stadium was prompted by the ongoing monsoon season. Shardul Thakur missed the recent Duleep Trophy season as he continues to work on regaining full fitness.
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However, according to *The Times of India*, he is now in much better shape and is likely to be included in Mumbai’s squad for the Irani Cup. Notably, during the Ranji Trophy 2024, Thakur showed flashes of his potential. While he didn’t make a significant impact with the ball, his batting was instrumental, including a crucial century against Tamil Nadu in the semi-final and a half-century in the final against Vidarbha.
SHARDUL THAKUR RETURNS….!!!! 🔥
– He is set to play in the Irani Trophy for Mumbai. [Gaurav Gupta from TOI]
A huge boost for India ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. pic.twitter.com/0hIkNJv0J4
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 16, 2024
Currently, Shardul isn’t a primary option for India in red-ball cricket. However, a standout performance in the Irani Cup and the domestic season could put him back in contention. India is on the lookout for an all-rounder for their upcoming five-match Test series against Australia, and Shardul fits the profile with his batting skills.
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With Hardik Pandya not in consideration for red-ball cricket, Thakur has a golden opportunity to step up. Given the rigorous nature of the series, India’s pacers might not play every match, and Thakur’s ability to contribute with the bat adds to his appeal. However, to solidify his case, he’ll need to shine with the ball as well.
