IPL 2025: Ignored at Mega Auction, Shardul Thakur Likely to Find Place in LSG Squad as Replacement For Mohsin Khan

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Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur may have found himself a team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 after being passed on at the IPL Mega Auction last year in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

After a disappointing season with Chennai Super Kings, Shardul was released into the auction pool, but failed to find any takers and remained one of the big names to be unsold at the two-day auction.

However, the former CSK and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star may have received some positive news before the season gets underway on Saturday (March 22). According to a report in Times of India (TOI), Shardul is all set to be signed as a replacement player by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

The 33-year-old, who impressed in the final stages of the Ranji Trophy, is likely to be named as a replacement for injured pacer Mohsin Khan by LSG with the TOI report adding that Thakur has been informed of the decision and will travel with the team to Vizag for their season opener.

LSG take on Delhi Capitals in their campaign opener on Monday (March 24) at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, and as per the report Shardul could feature in the matchday squad.

Mohsin has been sidelined with an ACL injury, which ruled him out of cricket for the past three months. His comeback attempt was further hampered by a calf strain suffered during LSG's training sessions. Mohsin, who was one of the uncapped retentions at LSG, has struggled with injuries even in previous campaigns.

With multiple pacers still recovering at the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE), the franchise was forced to seek an injury replacement. LSG's India-heavy fast-bowling unit has been hit hard, with Akash Deep, Avesh Khan, and Mayank Yadav yet to join the squad.

While Akash Deep and Mayank are recovering at the CoE, Avesh is still regaining full fitness after a knee injury. Mayank, who has been plagued by multiple injury setbacks since October last year, has resumed bowling at reduced intensity but remains far from match-ready.

With uncertainty surrounding their pace attack, LSG mentor Zaheer Khan acknowledged the challenges but emphasized adaptability. Shardul has been with LSG camp since they began training along with fellow Indian pacer Shivam Mavi, who was also unsold at the mega auction.

Thakur will be the lone senior Indian pacer for LSG's season opener with one overseas pacer in Shamar Joseph, along with young Indian quicks like Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Prince Yadav also available for selection.