Shardul Thakur is having an all-time great season. The all-rounder is Mumbai’s second-highest wicket-taker and their fifth-highest scorer in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season. In the second leg of the red-ball tournament, he scored 275 runs in 6 innings with one hundred and two fifties (51, 119, and 84) and took 19 wickets in 6 innings, which included a six-wicket haul in the quarterfinal against Haryana.
Shardul Thakur eyes County after IPL 2025 snub
The talented all-rounder couldn’t find a bidder at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction, and although there is still a chance, Shardul has decided to place all his eyes in the red-ball basket. The Mumbaiker will join the Essex County Cricket Club this season.
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) February 18, 2025
Lord Shardul
#FlyLikeAnEagle pic.twitter.com/1TsHY1Q8Cc
For the unaware, the IPL 2025 season and the first leg of the County Championship (April 4 to May 26) will clash. Therefore, one can ply their trade at one of them. Shardul has joined Essex, but it’ll be seen whether he doesn’t travel to England if an IPL team offers him a contract. One must remember that India will tour England in June to play a 5-match Test series, and this county stint will act as his preparation for that.
“I am feeling excited to join Essex this summer. Personally it brings new challenges and opportunities to showcase my talent and skills. County cricket is something I always wanted to experience and I am glad that I’ll be representing the Eagles,” Thakur said in a statement released by Essex.
Shardul hasn’t been in the India cricket team‘s plans for around 14 months now, but such has been his performance that it wouldn’t be a shock to see him added to the squad. Also, in England, a pace-bowling all-rounder will be extremely useful. Plus, Shardul has done well in the last tour to England (2021).
Shardul Thakur’s stats in Ranji Trophy 2024-25
| Matches | Runs | Batting Average | Wickets | Bowling Average | Bowling Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 426 | 42.60 | 34 | 21.67 | 38.88 |
