In a dramatic twist for the IPL 2025 season, talented Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who initially went unsold at the mega auction, is making headlines with his imminent entry into the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Faced with a sudden injury crisis, LSG has decided to bring Thakur on board as a replacement for the injured Mohsin Khan. The decision, made official on March 23, 2025, injects much-needed experience into the team, at a time when they're grappling with injuries to crucial players.
Injury Crisis and Thakur's Arrival
Lucknow Super Giants have been battling a rash of injuries ahead of their IPL opener, forcing their management to scramble for replacements. Pacers like Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, and Avesh Khan are still waiting on clearances from the National Cricket Academy (NCA), while Mohsin Khan's knee injury has ruled him out entirely. This created an opportunity for Thakur, who had initially been overlooked in the auction, despite his solid domestic form.
Images went viral of Thakur training in LSG's jersey, sparking speculation that was soon confirmed with his entry into the team for a sum of ₹2 crore. Thakur's signing, despite the initial reluctance of the franchise to confirm, comes as a relief for LSG which now must compensate for the limited service of Mitchell Marsh due to a back injury restricting him to batting duties alone.
Thakur's Stellar Domestic Record and IPL Career
Thakur's domestic season was nothing short of impressive. He took 15 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy over nine matches and added another 35 wickets during the Ranji Trophy. Such performances had fans and analysts alike discussing his potential recall to the Indian Test side for the forthcoming 2025 England tour. However, his new IPL engagement complicates these plans, especially concerning his contract with Essex, where he was slated to appear for seven County Championship matches. Now, with his IPL schedule on the horizon, his participation in Essex’s lineup is dubious at best.
His extensive experience in IPL includes stints with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Delhi Capitals (DC), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS), where he has amassed 94 wickets in 95 matches. Now, his inclusion in LSG is expected to fill a crucial gap in their bowling attack as they seek to navigate the tough waters of this competition.
Some cricket experts worry his Test comeback might take a backseat, as the time he was supposed to spend adapting to English conditions playing county now clashes with his IPL commitments. The balance between playing domestically and gearing up for national representation continues to be a tightrope walk for many players in the modern game.