Shardul Thakur Steps In at Lucknow Super Giants, Filling Mohsin Khan's Shoes

Mar, 25 2025

Lucknow Super Giants' Strategic Move to Bring on Shardul Thakur

In a decisive move for the IPL 2025, the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have signed Shardul Thakur as a replacement for the injured Mohsin Khan. This decision stems not only from Khan's unfortunate injury but also aligns with the need for a strong, experienced player to fill the void. Thakur, known for his capability as an all-rounder, was picked up from the Registered Available Player Pool (RAPP) at his base price of INR 2 crore after remaining unsold at the initial IPL auction.

Thakur's inclusion comes as a relief at a time when the LSG squad is grappling with multiple injuries amongst its bowlers. Alongside Mohsin Khan, the team is also missing the talents of Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep, who are out due to various injuries. These setbacks have left LSG's bowling lineup significantly weakened ahead of their first game against the Delhi Capitals on March 24.

Why Shardul Thakur is a Valuable Addition to LSG

Shardul Thakur brings with him a wealth of experience from his previous stints across five IPL franchises. With a record of 95 IPL matches under his belt, 94 wickets, and a personal batting high score of 68, his expertise is undisputed in both bowling and batting domains. His recent domestic performances for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy further attest to his form, having clocked 505 runs and snatched 35 wickets in just nine games.

Interestingly, Thakur’s plans included playing overseas cricket with County side Essex before this opportunity with LSG materialized. His shift from the international scene back to IPL reveals how substantial this offer was, not just in filling a gap but enabling Thakur to shine from the outset. He’s already joined the LSG squad in Visakhapatnam, gearing up to make a notable impact right from their opening match.

While LSG's strategies might have taken a hit with the recent lineup changes, unveiling Thakur hints at the team’s readiness to contend powerfully in IPL 2025. With the spotlight soon turning to their performance against other teams, Shardul Thakur's seasoned skills could very well be the catalyst LSG needs to navigate through current adversities and maintain a solid standing in the league.