Shardul Thakur, the dynamic Indian all-rounder, is set to embark on a new chapter in his career as he signs with Essex for the upcoming County Championship season. The English county club confirmed his signing on February 18, revealing that he will be part of their squad for the opening block of the 2025-26 season, featuring in seven matches. This marks an exciting opportunity for Thakur to showcase his skills in the highly competitive English domestic circuit, a move that many Indian cricketers have previously undertaken to refine their game.
The 33-year-old has been in stellar form for Mumbai in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, proving his mettle with both bat and ball. Ahead of the semifinals, he has amassed 402 runs at an impressive average of 40 while also claiming 34 wickets at 21.67.
His all-round brilliance was highlighted by a crucial century (119) against Jammu and Kashmir, a knock that rescued his team from a precarious position. Despite his strong domestic performances, Thakur found himself without an IPL contract after going unsold at the auction. However, instead of waiting on the sidelines, he made the proactive decision to play county cricket, a move that could significantly benefit his international aspirations.
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Expressing his enthusiasm about this new challenge, Shardul Thakur stated, “I am feeling excited to join Essex this summer. Personally, it brings new challenges and opportunities to showcase my talent and skills. County cricket is something I always wanted to experience, and I am glad that I’ll be representing the Eagles.” While he remains committed to Essex, he still holds the possibility of an IPL return if a franchise seeks him as an injury replacement.
👑 Lord Shardul
🦅 #FlyLikeAnEagle pic.twitter.com/1TsHY1Q8Cc
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) February 18, 2025
✍️ Welcome to Essex, Shardul Thakur!
🦅 #FlyLikeAnEagle pic.twitter.com/mUGQCCBJIC
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) February 18, 2025
Despite being a crucial performer for India in recent years, Thakur was not included in the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, where India suffered a 1-3 series loss. He was also in contention for a spot in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 but was ultimately left out of the squad. This stint with Essex presents an opportunity for him to refine his craft and push his case for a national team recall.
Essex’s director of cricket, Chris Silverwood, expressed his excitement about securing Thakur’s services. “We’re absolutely thrilled to get the signing of Shardul over the line,” said Chris Silverwood. “We were very clear amongst ourselves that a high-quality quick bowler with lower-order batting ability was a key target for the club this winter. In Shardul, we have signed just that, and we can’t wait to welcome him to Essex.”
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Thakur follows in the footsteps of several Indian internationals who have played for Essex, including Umesh Yadav, Murali Vijay, and current India head coach Gautam Gambhir. His first major test with the club will be against defending champions Surrey at home, as Essex aims to reclaim their first County Championship title since 2019.
