Shardul Thakur on course to feature for Mumbai in Irani Cup after recovering from surgery - Reports
Shardul Thakur recently made his competitive return to cricket after a lengthy layoff due to injury. The all-rounder had suffered an ankle injury after the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season and underwent surgery in London on June 12.
According to a report by the Times of India, Thakur recently played for Mumbai against KSCA Secretary's XI in a Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament match in Bengaluru. He recorded a two-ball duck and bowled eight overs while conceding 29 runs without taking a wicket.
Thakur could feature for Mumbai in the upcoming Irani Cup. The defending Ranji Trophy champions are scheduled to take on the Rest of India side from October 1 onwards at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The match was initially slated to take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai but was shifted due to the delayed monsoon in the city.
Thakur missed out on the ongoing Duleep Trophy as he was recovering from injury when the selectors announced the squad. He last played for India during the tour of South Africa in late 2023.
Thakur had also played for Mumbai in the 2024 Ranji Trophy-winning campaign, scoring a crucial hundred in the semi-final against Tamil Nadu and a fifty in the final against Vidarbha. He ended the season with 255 runs in five matches at an average of 31.87 and 16 wickets at an average of 20.12.
Thakur will be eyeing the Border-Gavaskar series as a potential avenue for national return
Shardul Thakur has been a huge asset for the Men in Blue in overseas matches. His ability to contribute with the bat in the lower-middle order, coupled with the balance he brings as the fourth pacer in the setup, has aided India on several occasions.
With India set for their biggest overseas assignment in the form of a five-match Test series against Australia later this year, there is a chance that the all-rounder's service might be needed again.
Although fellow all-rounder Hardik Pandya has caused a stir by bowling with the red ball during the off-season, Thakur has the advantage of playing and thriving in such conditions before.