MUMBAI: In some good news for India just ahead of a busy Test season, and Mumbai before the upcoming Irani Cup tie in Lucknow, pace-bowling allrounder Shardul Thakur is back on the field, currently playing his first competitive match after four months after undergoing an ankle surgery in London on June 12.
Turning out for Mumbai against KSCA Secretary's XI in a Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on the weekend, Thakur was out for a two-ball duck on Saturday, and then conceded 29 in eight overs without taking a wicket on Sunday, as KSCA Secretary's XI replied strongly with 244 for one.
Thakur, who missed the Duleep Trophy as he was recuperating after surgery, last played a match for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL on May 18. His return augurs well for Mumbai, who will take on Rest of India in the Irani Cup tie from October 1-5.