Courtesy: X
India’s bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur has made his comeback in competitive cricket after recovering from an ankle injury. He last played a competitive match during the IPL 2024 early this year. Meanwhile, after going through an ankle surgery, Thakur returned to the sport this weekend, playing for Mumbai against KSCA Secretary's XI in a Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The experienced cricketer had a forgettable comeback as he bagged a duck and didn’t take a wicket either. The 32-year-old last played for India against South Africa in December 2023. He didn’t have the greatest of matches before being duly left out of the second Test against the Proteas in January this year. The Mumbaikar didn’t play too many games during the IPL 2024 for Chennai Super Kings either. But, he is expected to be a part of Mumbai's squad for the Irani Trophy five-day match against the Rest of India (ROI) next month after proving his fitness in domestic cricket.
Shardul Thakur could be handy for India’s busy schedule in next few months
The Palghar-born cricket could be handy for India during the team’s busy schedule in the next few months. The Men in Blue will play a two-match Test series against Bangladesh later this month. Apart from this, India will host New Zealand for a three-match Test and then will play a five-match Test series in Australia later this year. Given India’s schedule (including white-ball series against Bangladesh and South Africa too), India would need the services of their reserve players.
Shardul Thakur can be effective with the bat and ball, and his services will be important for India in the Australia tour. The last time he played in Australia, he scored a fifty and took a four-wicket haul in the historic Gabba Test in 2021. He helped India win the game and claim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 by 2-1.
