Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have officially signed all-rounder Shardul Thakur as a replacement for the injured fast bowler Mohsin Khan ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Thakur, who surprisingly went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, is now set to reinforce the LSG squad as they deal with a series of injury setbacks.
According to sources within the franchise, Mohsin Khan suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his right knee while playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on December 31, 2024. Although he joined the LSG camp in Lucknow recently, he did not travel with the squad to Visakhapatnam, where LSG will begin their campaign against Delhi Capitals (DC) on March 24. This latest injury adds to Mohsin’s history of setbacks, having previously overcome a career-threatening shoulder injury after IPL 2022. The left-arm pacer is currently undergoing rehabilitation under the guidance of LSG’s medical staff.
LSG’s Fast-Bowling Woes: An Unfortunate Series of Injuries
LSG’s concerns extend beyond Mohsin Khan. The franchise finds itself in a precarious position, with all four of its first-choice Indian pacers—Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep—currently unavailable. Each of these bowlers is undergoing rehabilitation at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
- Mayank Yadav is recovering from a lower-back stress injury that ruled him out of competitive action.
- Avesh Khan is battling workload-related niggles in his right knee, with hopes of returning within a week, subject to passing fitness tests.
- Akash Deep, who last represented India during the recent Test series against Australia, is also sidelined due to a stress injury in his lower back.
The unavailability of this pace quartet leaves LSG heavily reliant on their backup options as they enter the new season.
Shardul Thakur: A Proven Match-Winner Returns to IPL
Despite going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, Shardul Thakur remained active in the cricketing circuit. The seasoned all-rounder delivered an impressive domestic season for Mumbai after successfully recovering from a foot surgery. Additionally, he had secured a contract with Essex to participate in county cricket but had kept the option open for an IPL return should an opportunity arise. Now, with LSG in urgent need of reinforcements, Thakur finds himself back in the IPL fold.
Thakur, known for his clutch performances with both bat and ball, has previously featured for multiple IPL franchises, including Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). His ability to generate movement with the ball and contribute crucial lower-order runs makes him a valuable addition to LSG’s squad. Alongside Shivam Mavi, another fast bowler who went unsold in the auction, Thakur has been actively training with the LSG squad during their preparatory camp in Lucknow.
Impact on LSG’s IPL 2025 Campaign
With Lucknow Super Giants already dealing with a depleted pace attack, the addition of Thakur is expected to bring much-needed experience and depth to the squad. However, questions remain over how effectively LSG can cope with their injury crisis.
LSG’s leadership group, led by captain Rishabh Pant, will have to make crucial tactical adjustments to mitigate the impact of these absences. Thakur’s ability to deliver in high-pressure situations could provide the much-needed balance to the side as they aim to make a strong statement in IPL 2025.
Potential LSG Bowling Attack for IPL 2025:
| Player | Role | Availability Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Wood | Fast Bowler | Fit |
| Naveen-ul-Haq | Fast Bowler | Fit |
| Shardul Thakur | All-Rounder | Available |
| Shivam Mavi | Fast Bowler | Available |
| Krunal Pandya | All-Rounder | Fit |
With a mix of experienced and emerging talents, LSG will need to carefully strategize their bowling combinations, especially in the initial matches until some of their injured pacers recover.
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Conclusion
The loss of Mohsin Khan is a significant blow to LSG, but the signing of Shardul Thakur offers the team an experienced alternative capable of contributing in multiple facets of the game. As LSG prepares for IPL 2025 with a depleted bowling attack, their campaign will heavily depend on the adaptability of their squad and the performances of key players. With a challenging season ahead, all eyes will be on how LSG manages its resources and whether Thakur can step up to fill the void left by their injured stars.
