Indian Cricketer Shardul Thakur Suffers Shoulder Injury During Practice Session

On Saturday, December 30, Indian cricketer Shardul Thakur suffered an injury while batting in a net practice session. Thakur was struck on the shoulder during throwdowns, and the severity of his injury is still being assessed. He may undergo further scans if necessary, as initially reported by PTI.

Thakur received immediate attention from the team physio after the incident. He continued batting post the injury but refrained from bowling during the session. Following his batting practice, Thakur’s shoulder was treated with an ice pack and a sling by the physio.

In the first Test, which India lost by an innings and 32 runs, Thakur had a modest performance. He managed to score 24 runs in the first innings and only 2 in the second. In bowling, he took 1 wicket for 101 runs in 19 overs. His participation in the upcoming Test starting January 3, 2024, remains uncertain.

In related news, South Africa’s cricket team faces a setback for their second Test against India, as their prominent bowler Gerald Coetzee is out due to pelvic inflammation. The match scheduled for January 3 in Cape Town will proceed without Coetzee, even as South Africa leads the series 1-0.

This injury also raises questions about Coetzee’s availability for the upcoming SA20, starting January 10. Coetzee was recently acquired by Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League auctions for $600,000.

Cricket South Africa has decided not to call up a replacement for Coetzee. The squad already includes fast bowlers like Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder. Keshav Maharaj is another potential replacement if the Proteas opt for a spin bowler.