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

Lucknow Super Giants owned by Sanjiv Goenka acquired Manchester Originals in a race with two other IPL teams that took place on 3 February, Monday. The LSG owner also owns another T20 team Durban Super Giants of SA20 and this highly strategic move marks a significant expansion of the owner.

The deal was finalized at a 49% stake in the Manchester Originals with a price of £107 million according to Cricbuzz. The Indian business tycoon beat two other IPL franchises who were interested in the deal though the names are yet to be revealed.

“Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders were all in the initial list of interested parties who are believed to have backed out. Whether one of them has re-entered the fray is to be ascertained,” the report stated.

Daniel Gidney, the chief executive of the Originals, has previously shown interest in partnering with an IPL team, “We have been very focused on securing a great partner – ideally from the IPL – and RPSG has been our preferred bidder for some time.” he said.

Lancshire’s deal is different as they become the first host to hand over such a dominant stake. However, they are planning to sell 21% of the 51%, holding the remaining 30%. They will use these funds to build indoor schools and infrastructure to provide better facilities for the members and also lower their debts.

Who are Manchester Originals, and what does it mean to LSG

Manchester Originals is a franchise-based team that competes in the Hundred, and while they haven’t won the title yet, the men’s team were the finalists of the tournament in both seasons. Some notable players of the team are Jos Buttler who is a world-class T20 Batsman and is known for his explosive batting. Phil Salt who is an opening batsman and Sikandar Raza, an all-rounder bring unmatched expertise to the team.

Owning teams in difficult leagues allows for a wider network, which means LSG could possibly gain tips from renowned players of the Originals. This could help LSG players gain experience in different conditions and tournaments, improving their skills and adaptability for the upcoming IPL 2025.