Shardul Thakur Joins Lucknow Super Giants As Injury Replacement

Shardul Thakur is set to join the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the IPL 2025 season, stepping in as a replacement for the injured Mohsin Khan. Thakur, who was not part of the last IPL mega auction, secured a deal worth Rs 2 crore from the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP) and will debut against the Delhi Capitals on March 24, 2025, at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

Mohsin, who has recently been assessed as "50 percent fit" by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Center of Excellence, has been sidelined due to injuries accumulated over recent seasons, including a significant tear to his anterior cruciate ligament. The BCCI's recent announcement confirming Thakur's inclusion came just two days before the opening match, which has generated a buzz among fans and analysts alike.

After signing his contract following a fitness report on March 22, Thakur's experience in the league could prove invaluable as LSG seeks to recover from injuries to other critical players. Currently, the team is grappling with fitness issues affecting four of its bowlers, including Akash Deep, Mayank Yadav, and Avesh Khan. Both Akash Deep and Avesh are likely to miss the first three matches, while Mayank is expected to be ready only by mid-April.

"We can’t really say much since our players are currently with the NCA. The situation is always changing, and in the IPL, you have to be ready for anything," stated LSG mentor Zaheer Khan during a media chat, addressing the uncertainties surrounding player fitness. This created an immediate need for Thakur, who is now preparing to join West Indies bowler Shamar Joseph in spearheading the LSG bowling attack.

Thakur, a seasoned all-rounder with significant national experience, has played 95 IPL matches over nine seasons, tallying 67 wickets at an economy rate of 8.89. His skills were evidenced during the most recent domestic season, where he impressed by claiming 15 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and achieving an outstanding 35 wickets in the Ranji Trophy while managing to score 505 runs, including a century against Jammu & Kashmir.

LSG is keen to rebound from a disappointing seventh-place finish last season, which led to strategic changes within the squad, including the departure of captain KL Rahul. They made headlines in the recent auction by securing Rishabh Pant for Rs 27 crore, signifying their ambition to reshape their fortunes in this year's tournament.

As the excitement builds up for the opener against the Delhi Capitals, whose captaincy under Faf du Plessis has added depth to their squad, LSG's fans are hopeful that Thakur’s integration into the team will provide the much-needed boost. The Lucknow franchise aims to reflect a fresh, competitive spirit that can capitalize on new leadership and a mix of experienced players this season.

With their sights set on a successful campaign ahead, Thakur's role could be pivotal in how effectively LSG navigates this IPL season, allowing them to emerge stronger from their current challenges. His record and recent form suggest he is ready to seize this opportunity to revitalize his career and make his mark with the Lucknow Super Giants.