India all-rounder Shardul Thakur is set to join the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) squad as a replacement for the injured Mohsin Khan ahead of their IPL 2025 season opener in Visakhapatnam against Delhi Capitals. Although an official confirmation from the franchise is awaited, reports suggest that Thakur has been informed and will travel with the team for their opening fixture.
Thakur, who went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction, was earlier speculated to replace Mayank Yadav. However, sources now confirm that he will be coming in for Mohsin Khan, who is ruled out with an ACL injury and a calf strain.
With several LSG pacers still undergoing rehab at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, including Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, and Akash Deep, the team was forced to bring in an experienced option. Avesh is recovering from a knee issue, and Mayank Yadav, who hasn’t played since October, continues to battle fitness concerns.
Thakur, with 95 IPL matches under his belt, brings both experience and depth to LSG’s pace department, which currently features overseas pacer Shamar Joseph and young domestic bowlers Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Prince Yadav. He debuted in the IPL with Punjab Kings in 2015 and has taken 94 wickets while scoring 307 runs in his career.
LSG, led by Rishabh Pant, is expected to adopt a fluid approach to manage its bowling resources through the season, especially amid ongoing injury issues in the fast-bowling department.
