IPL 2025: Unsold Shardul Thakur Set to Join LSG as Injury Replacement

After being released by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Shardul Thakur was shockingly unsold at the massive auctions held in advance of the 2025 tournament. At a basic price of INR 2 crore, the cricket player consequently registered for the auction. Unfortunately, Shardul was unable to draw in any bidders, and CSK decided not to exercise their Right To Match (RTM) option, which left him in a hopeless situation.

On Sunday, March 16, the image of all-rounder Shardul Thakur wearing a Lucknow Super Giants uniform drove fans into a frenzy. In the IPL 2025 mega-auction, Thakur, who has been playing brilliantly for Mumbai at home, received no bids. There were rumours of Shardul's return to the Indian Premier League when the picture went viral on social media. Shardul would be a good fit for the LSG team, who are currently dealing with a number of injuries.

Shardul Thakur is back with a bang? 

Shardul Thakur & Shivam Mavi To Replace Two LSG Injured Pacers (Mohsin & Mayank Mostly) pic.twitter.com/oXfvqJ778D

— Junaid Khan (@JunaidKhanation) March 16, 2025

The Palghar Express might finally have a team to play for in the next tournament after being spotted in the team's training camp less than a week before it starts. The development has been confirmed by a picture of his net session with the LSG setup that has been making the rounds on social media.

The tearaway fast bowler for LSG, Mayank Yadav, is presently recovering from an injury at the National Cricket Academy. According to reports, he may be unable to play in the opening games of the tournament in 2025. Fast bowlers Avesh and Mohsin Khan, aside from Mayank, are prone to injuries. Mitchell Marsh, an all-rounder in the foreign lineup, has already stated that he will not be bowling in the IPL. Marsh just suffered a back injury that prevented him from attending the Champions Trophy 2025.

The injury issues facing the original side are one of the reasons the pace-bowling all-rounder might be added to the LSG squad. As LSG gets ready for their tournament opener against Delhi Capitals on March 24 in Visakhapatnam, questions have been raised over their ability to play in the next tournament because their bowlers, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Mohsin Khan, have not received fitness clearance from the BCCI. 

The Palghar native will be confident in his ability to contribute similarly to LSG with Form on his side. But in order to confirm things, the squad has yet to make an official announcement on his addition.

Watch this space for more cricket news.