A few days ago who would have known that Shardul Thakur’s debut in the whites for his country would not even last for a couple of overs.
Cricket news: Shardul has become doubtful for the upcoming Australia tour
In the second Test against the Windies after bowling 10 deliveries, Shardul had to be taken off the field because of right adductor tendon injury.
Now reports have suggested that Shardul will be out of contention for the next seven weeks and will not be available for selection in the T20I and Test squads for the Australia tour which will begin next month.
The tour of Australia is slated to begin from 21 November with a 3-match T20I series. The first Test will begin from 6 December while the first ODI will begin from 12 January.
Since his debut, Shardul had played five ODIs and seven T20Is where he had picked 14 wickets. The 21-year-old missed the Asia Cup as well as he played just one game before getting a groin injury. Later he played a List A match for Mumbai against Punjab where he performed excellently with both bat and ball.
Shardul is not trying any faster means to get fit. In an interview to The Indian Express, he said, “Even if I try hard, I won’t be able to get fit before the second Test in Australia [which starts on December 14]. A place in the T20Is or the Tests will be difficult. I will be eyeing the one-dayers instead. Let’s see how my rehab goes. I will continue with my training for the next seven weeks.”
Although Shardul could not bowl his eleventh delivery in his debut Test, yet he came out to bat at No. 11 and remained not out on four to help his team consolidate a lead over the visitors.
Shardul was replaced by Umesh Yadav in the ODI series against the Windies and the hosts have already won the first ODI in the 5-match ODI series. The second ODI will be played on 24 October in Vizag.