Shardul Thakur, the star Indian cricketer known for his all-rounder abilities, was set to make his county cricket debut with Essex Cricket Club for the upcoming County Championship 2025 which has been his long-standing desire to experience this format.
He also shared his excitement about the same previous month and said, “County cricket is something I always wanted to experience and I am glad that I’ll be representing the Eagles”, as he joined the Essex Club officially.
However, his recent signing with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the IPL 2025 as a replacement for fast bowler Mohsin Khan might shatter his dream of playing for county cricket as the dates clash between the IPL and Essex schedule.
It was Shardul Thakur’s decision not to participate in the County Championships and rather feature in the IPL 2025 for LSG. The club officially confirmed the news and wrote on their X account, “Essex Cricket can confirm that Shardul Thakur will no longer be joining the Club for the start of the 2025 season following his selection by Lucknow Super Giants as a replacement player in the Indian Premier League.
While we are naturally disappointed, we fully understand Shardul’s decision and wish him all the best for the tournament.”
Club Statement: Shardul Thakur
Essex Cricket can confirm that Shardul Thakur will no longer be joining the Club for the start of the 2025 season following his selection by Lucknow Super Giants as a replacement player in the Indian Premier League.
While we are naturally… pic.twitter.com/SWMUEK19IL
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) March 23, 2025
His absence is seen as a missed opportunity for him to gain valuable experience in the English conditions ahead of India’s England tour later this year. However, the clash is only with the first six county games, which means he might be able to play from the seventh match according to his contract with Essex though it depends on how far LSG goes in the IPL 2025.
Shardul Thakur’s decision to join Essex came after his successful domestic season at the Ranji Trophy 2025, where he made 439 runs and took 34 wickets. Now, he looks forward to establishing himself as a key player in the IPL 2025 for LSG.
Over the year, the right-handed batter has respected several teams in the IPL and has played a total of 94 IPL matches where he took 95 wickets and scored 307 runs in total. He has been an effective bowler in the tournament, achieving multiple three-wicket hauls. The pressure will be on his shoulders as he tries to fill the shoes of the star bowler Mohsin Khan.
Also Read: Get Ready For IPL 2025: Full Schedule, Fixtures and More
