March 23, 2025: India’s experienced fast bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur is set to join Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season as a replacement for the injured Mohsin Khan. According to ESPNcricinfo, Shardul will be replacing the left-arm fast bowler, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during the Vijay Hazare Trophy on December 31.
Mohsin Khan, who had recovered from a career-threatening injury after the 2022 IPL season, was hoping to make a comeback, but the latest setback has led to his absence for the ongoing season. Meanwhile, Shardul, who went unsold in last year’s mega auction, has been training with the LSG squad in Visakhapatnam and is ready to step in for the injured bowler.
Shardul’s addition to the squad comes at a crucial time as LSG has been struggling with injuries to several of their fast bowlers. Apart from Mohsin Khan, pace bowlers Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep are also recovering from injuries. Mayank is dealing with a lower-back stress injury, Avesh has been troubled by right knee niggles, and Akash is nursing a lower-back stress injury. As of now, there is no official update on their return dates, which makes Shardul’s inclusion a much-needed boost to the LSG camp.
Shardul has been in good form in India’s domestic cricket circuit. He scored over 400 runs and took 34 wickets at an average of 21.67 in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, playing a vital role in helping Mumbai reach the semi-finals. With his all-round abilities, Shardul brings much-needed depth to LSG’s squad.
LSG will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against Delhi Capitals on Monday, and Shardul’s presence could be a game-changer for the team as they aim for success in the upcoming season.