IPL 2025: Unsold Shardul Thakur to play for Lucknow Super Giants? Ex-CSK pacer’s training in LSG kit sparks speculations

Unsold at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction last year in Saudi Arabia, Shardul Thakur might find a team in the upcoming edition of the cash-rich T20 league after the India pacer was seen training with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the pictures of which went viral on social media.

The joining of Shardul Thakur into the LSG setup, barely a week ahead of the IPL 2025, makes sense as three of their premier pacers - Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan and Avesh Khan - are yet to be declared fit by the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Mayank Yadav, who played his last game last October against Bangladesh, has been at the NCA for rehabilitation for a back injury while Avesh Khan is reportedly undergoing treatment for knee cartilage. However, there is no clarity on Mohsin Khan's injury.

When contacted, a LSG spokesperson did admit to this website the inclusion of Shardul Thakur in their training ahead of IPL 2025, but refused to comment further. No official confirmations have been made.

With no clarity on the pace trio's availability, the injection of Shardul Thakur might give the LSG pace attack a huge boost with Akash Deep being the only Indian frontline fast bowler. Notably, Mayank Yadav was retained by LSG for ₹11 crores.

To add to that, pictures of another unsold Shivam Mavi went viral, after the Indian pacer was pictured with captain Rishabh Pant singing karaoke at a team get-together. In fact, both Shivam Mavi and Shardul Thakur played Holi with the entire LSG squad recently.

Shardul Thakur's recent records

Shardul Thakur has played for CSK, Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals and now defunct Rising Pune Supergaint in the past, has played 95 IPL games, taking 94 wickets with a career-best of 4/36.

He also played a crucial part in Mumbai's triumphant Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2024/25 campaign picking 15 wickets in nine matches. In the Ranji Trophy 2024/25, the out-of-contention India all-rounder scalped 35 wickets in nine matches.

Shivam Mavi, who plays domestic cricket for Uttar Pradesh, was also last seen in the Ranji Trophy. It is also to be noted that under the IPL rules, no team can sign a replacement player until a cricketer is ruled out of the tournament completely due to injury or personal reasons.