Lucknow Super Giants Draft Shardul Thakur for IPL 2025
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have taken a significant step by signing India's seasoned all-rounder, Shardul Thakur, for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. This decision comes in the wake of left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan suffering a debilitating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. The injury occurred during the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December 2024 and has ruled Mohsin out of action, leaving a gap in LSG's lineup.
A further complication arose when Mohsin, despite joining the team's pre-season camp, sustained a calf strain during net practice sessions. This unfortunate series of injuries left LSG in urgent need of a capable replacement to uphold their competitive edge.
Shardul Thakur's Experience and LSG's Challenges
Thakur, aged 33, joins LSG as part of the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP). Though surprisingly unsold in the previous IPL 2025 auction, he comes at a strategic acquisition price of ₹2 crore. His extensive IPL track record boasts participation in 95 matches, contributing 94 wickets and 505 runs across teams such as Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Rising Pune Supergiant.
The Super Giants face a mounting crisis with their pace lineup. In addition to Mohsin's absence, key players such as Avesh Khan are struggling with knee niggles, and both Mayank Yadav and Akash Deep are dealing with lower back stress injuries. This has placed immense pressure on the team to find seasoned bowlers to fill these vital roles.
Despite a prior county cricket commitment with Essex, Thakur opted to prioritize his IPL stint. He's now actively training with LSG in Visakhapatnam as they gear up for their season opener against the Delhi Capitals on March 24. His experience and all-round skills are poised to be invaluable assets in bolstering the team's performance amidst these challenges.
