Via County stint at Essex, Shardul Thakur hunts for spot in India vs England Tests
Shardul Thakur is enjoying a standout season in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, emerging as Mumbai’s second-highest wicket-taker and fifth-highest run-scorer. In the tournament’s second leg, he amassed 275 runs across six innings, including one century and two fifties, while also claiming 19 wickets, highlighted by a six-wicket haul against Haryana in the quarterfinals.
Despite his impressive performances, Thakur went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction. However, he remains focused on red-ball cricket and is currently in discussions with Essex County Cricket Club for a potential stint. The IPL season overlaps with the first leg of the County Championship, which runs from April 4 to May 26, limiting his options. If he does not secure an IPL contract, Thakur is keen to play County cricket to acclimatize to English conditions ahead of India’s Test series in England in June.
Thakur has not been part of the Indian team for over a year, but his recent form could earn him a spot in the squad. He expressed optimism about making a comeback, emphasizing that playing county cricket would be beneficial for his preparation.