Shardul Thakur, India’s seam-bowling all-rounder, has made his return to competitive cricket following an ankle injury. After undergoing surgery, Thakur featured for Mumbai in the Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament against KSCA Secretary’s XI at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Although his comeback match was underwhelming — scoring a duck and going wicketless — his recovery is a positive sign for Mumbai ahead of their Irani Trophy clash against the Rest of India in Lucknow.
Thakur last played for India during the South Africa tour earlier this year, where his performance in the first Test was below expectations. He contributed just 26 runs and took one wicket, leading to his exclusion from the second Test. His struggles continued in the IPL 2024 for Chennai Super Kings, where he managed just 21 runs and five wickets in nine matches.
Despite recent form, Thakur’s return could be vital for India, as they prepare for a packed schedule, including a series against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and a challenging Test series in Australia. With the need to manage the workload of key fast bowlers, Thakur’s ability with both bat and ball could make him a valuable reserve player for India in the coming months.
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