India and Mumbai all-rounder Shardul Thakur was rushed to a nearby hospital after the second day of the game between Mumbai and Rest of India in Lucknow. Thakur is believed to have had a fever of 102 degrees when he was batting.
But despite suffering from high fever, the all-rounder scored a valiant 36 off 59 balls with 4 fours and 1 six. Thakur also formed a crucial 73-run partnership with Sarfaraz Khan to take Mumbai to a formidable first innings total.
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Shardul Thakur hospitalized after the second day of the Iran Cup
According to a report in The Indian Express, Shardul Thakur was battling fever throughout the day. He had already shown symptoms of a mild fever on the first day of the game.
However, his condition deteriorated when he batted for nearly two hours on the second day of the match. He was also forced to take short breaks between innings, during which his condition was monitored by the team doctor.
But Shardul decided to play despite not feeling well. He showed unwavering commitment to his team. After Saransh Jain finally dismissed him in the 138th innings, the doctors examined him again and decided to rush him to the nearby hospital.
Shardul had been feeling weak on the second day, but still insisted on playing. It is believed that the medical team is closely monitoring his condition and doctors will make a final decision regarding his future participation in the trial.
Several medical tests were carried out at the hospital to detect possible diseases such as dengue and malaria and the results of the tests are awaited, which will further confirm his participation in the remainder of the match.
Sarfaraz Khan shines for Mumbai
This is Shardul Thakur’s first match since the foot operation in London. He suffered the injury during the Ranji Trophy last season but showed immense resilience to lead Mumbai to win the title playing through pain.
In his first professional match after surgery, Thakur showed brilliant composure with the bat and frustrated the rest of India’s bowlers as Mumbai piled up 537 in the first innings. Sarfaraz Khan scored a magnificent 222 off 286 balls and remained unbeaten till the end. The youngster smashed 25 fours and 4 sixes in his knock.
Shardul Thakur, key player for Indian Test team
Shardul was also part of India’s tour of South Africa last year but could not play as his injury aggravated. A fully fit Shardul Thakur is crucial for the Indian team in overseas Test matches. Thakur’s ability to bowl long spells and be a skilled lower-order batsman makes him a key member of the Indian Test team.
The 32-year-old has played a key role in India’s overseas victories in England, South Africa and Australia previously. He was also part of the team that won the historic Test series in Australia in the 2020-21 season.
His return to first-class cricket is a good sign for India. Shardul Thakur will try to put in good performances in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season to plead his case for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will be played later this year.