India All-Rounder Shardul Thakur Set to Join Lucknow Super Giants' IPL 2025 Squad After Going Unsold at Auction: Report

India All-Rounder Shardul Thakur Set to Join Lucknow Super Giants' IPL 2025 Squad After Going Unsold at Auction: Report

Shardul Thakur, the versatile Indian all-rounder, is poised to make his return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, joining the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) squad after going unsold at the IPL 2025 auction. According to a report by Times of India, Thakur will replace left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan, who has been ruled out due to an ACL injury followed by a calf strain. Shardul’s inclusion is a timely boost for the LSG, who have been grappling with injuries to key fast bowlers ahead of the upcoming season.

Shardul Thakur’s Timely Inclusion in IPL 2025

Shardul Thakur's entry into the LSG squad comes at a critical juncture for the franchise, which is struggling with several injury concerns within its pace attack. With key Indian pacers still recovering at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE), Shardul’s inclusion is expected to add experience and depth to the bowling unit. While an official announcement is still awaited, sources confirm that Thakur has been informed of the decision and will be traveling with the squad to Visakhapatnam for LSG’s opening match against Delhi Capitals.

Injury Struggles for Lucknow Super Giants Fast Bowlers

The Lucknow Super Giants’ pace attack has been severely impacted by injuries leading up to IPL 2025. Avesh Khan, who recently recovered from a knee injury, has not yet linked up with the squad. Additionally, Akash Deep and Mayank Yadav are still undergoing rehabilitation at the CoE. Mayank Yadav, in particular, has faced a frustrating series of injuries, including a side strain, hamstring issue, and a left-side back injury, followed by a recent issue on his right side. Although he has resumed bowling at reduced intensity in the nets, his match fitness remains a concern.

Mayank Yadav’s Injury Woes and IPL 2025 Concerns

Mayank Yadav, a promising young pacer, has been unable to feature in competitive cricket since October last year due to a string of injuries. His rehabilitation has been slow and filled with setbacks, leaving his availability for the IPL season uncertain. Even if Yadav is cleared to join the IPL squad, sustaining a full tournament workload may prove to be a major challenge.

LSG Mentors Address Injuries and Adaptation for IPL 2025

LSG mentor Zaheer Khan addressed the injury issues during a media interaction, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the availability of the team’s fast bowlers. He emphasized the importance of adapting to the evolving situation, stating, “The situation is dynamic for some of our players due to injuries. But it’s time that we look for positives and adopt things to tackle the situation amicably.”

Zaheer Khan also mentioned that some players are currently recovering at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and spending time with their physios. He indicated that LSG would adopt a flexible approach to manage the injuries and focus on making the best out of the available resources during the season.

Shardul Thakur’s IPL Experience and Role in LSG

Shardul Thakur, known for his all-round capabilities and ability to deliver key performances in high-pressure situations, brings a wealth of IPL experience to the Lucknow Super Giants. Having played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in previous seasons, Thakur is well-versed in the dynamics of IPL cricket and will provide a much-needed boost to LSG’s bowling attack. His addition will not only strengthen the pace department but also offer depth in the middle-order batting, making him a valuable asset for the team.

Conclusion: A Critical Addition for LSG’s IPL 2025 Campaign

With injuries plaguing several of their key fast bowlers, the Lucknow Super Giants will look to Shardul Thakur’s inclusion as a crucial step towards reinforcing their squad for IPL 2025. The versatile all-rounder’s experience and ability to step up when needed will be invaluable as LSG navigates through a challenging start to the season. With Thakur joining the squad and the team’s mentors taking a flexible approach, LSG will hope to overcome their injury setbacks and build a competitive team for the upcoming IPL season.