Shardul Thakur has been signed by Essex for the first seven games of the 2025 County Championship, with the team confirming the development earlier today.
Shardul Thakur has been signed by Essex for the first seven games of the 2025 County Championship.
The bowling all-rounder has enjoyed a brilliant Ranji Trophy 2024/25, garnering the double of 400+ runs and 30+ wickets, including a hat-trick. Once a preferred choice for India's away Tests, Shardul was not picked for the Australia tour recently. It came on the back of a forgettable 2024, where Shardul also underwent surgery on his foot.
He had an underwhelming IPL last year, making only 21 runs in nine matches and picking up just five wickets at an average of 61.80. As a surprise to many, he went unsold in the mega-auctions for the 2025 season, making him one of the few India internationals without a contract in the T20 league.
The County Championship will begin on April 4, with the seventh round scheduled to end on May 19.
What happens if Shardul is called as an injury replacement?
Shardul’s county stint will coincide with the IPL, which will begin on March 22 with the final on May 25. However, with the all-rounder not yet picked by any team, he will be available for the County games that he has signed up for. In case Shardul is called up as a replacement player, Shardul is likely to play in the T20 league. An Essex spokesperson confirmed that there remains a chance that Shardul could still be called up to the IPL.
If he is not picked in the IPL, Shardul will have a massive opportunity to leave a mark in England and stake a claim for selection ahead of the five-match Test series in the country in June.
Shardul has played 11 Tests for India, scoring 331 runs at an average of 19.47 with four fifties. He also has 31 scalps at 28.38.
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