Shardul Thakur advised rest for seven weeks; out of contention for Australia tour

Shardul Thakur, who did not have a memorable Test debut, having bowled just 10 deliveries before limping off the field due to an injury, would now be rested for seven weeks before resuming bowling.

This time of rest thus means that the fast bowler would not be in contention for a spot in India’s squad for the tour of Australia in December.

The Mumbai paceman was handed a Test cap in the second Test match against the West Indies and sustained an injury to his right adductor tendon bowling just his second over for India in the whites in Hyderabad.

The 27-year old didn’t bowl again in the match but came out to bat in the first innings. His injury thus made him lose his spot to Umesh Yadav in the ODI series against the West Indies.

Earlier during the Asia Cup, he had to return back to the country from the UAE owing to a hip and groin injury.

Also read: India vs West Indies: Umesh Yadav replaces injured Shardul Thakur in ODI squad

But the quickie remained positive.

“Even if I try hard, I won’t be able to get fit before the second Test in Australia. A place in the T20s (which precede the Tests) 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,” he said, as quoted by The Indian Express.

After his Asia Cup campaign was cut short, he was at the NCA in Bengaluru for a few days because of his rehabilitation and recovery.

Thakur even turned up for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare trophy in just one match. Nonetheless, he added that the injury he sustained during the Asia Cup wasn’t similar to the one which limited his Test debut to just 10 balls.
“The injury from the Asia Cup was different to this one. During the Test match, I felt like my muscle was torn off. I started limping and when Virat asked me what was wrong, I told him it felt like a tear,” he added further.

During the Asia Cup, it was more a minor niggle and pain. The team management felt it was better I go back and get some rehab done rather than just sitting in the dressing-room there. It is disappointing but it’s better for me that I accept it and move on,” he elaborated.

But the paceman isn’t very sure when he would be able to be ready for selection, but is willing to take everything, “step by step”.

“Getting match-fit will take time. Once I recover, I will start bowling locally, play a few games here and there, maybe start playing in the shortest format and then build from there. I will take it step by step,” Thakur said.

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