India all-rounder Shardul Thakur was hit on the shoulder while he was batting at the nets in an optional training session at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Saturday, December 30. Shardul suffered the injury scare while he was taking throwdowns from batting coach Vikram Rathour ahead of the 2nd Test, starting January 3 in Cape Town.
There is the possibility of him missing the second Test in Cape Town beginning on January 3, but the extent of the hit could be ascertained through scanning if required. At this moment, it couldn’t be confirmed if his injury warrants scans, PTI news agency reported.
Shardul Thakur was hit on the shoulder after a ball bounced awkwardly from a good length from a delivery bowled by Vikram Rathour. Shardul was not able to sway away from the delivery due to the extra bounce and was seen wincing in pain at the nets.
Shardul Thakur, however, braved the pain and continued to bat at the nets. However, after finishing the batting session, he was treated by the physio with an ice pack. The all-rounder was the first player to enter the nets for the throwdowns. However, after the first training session, Shardul did not take part in training any further.
Shardul Thakur was ordinary in the first Test in Centurion as he conceded 101 runs in 19 overs. India struggled as Shardul and Prasidh Krishna, who was on debut, were not able to provide control even as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and R Ashwin kept it tight. South Africa scored 408 runs in their first innings and went on to beat India by an innings and 32 runs after the visitors managed just 245 and 131 across both innings.
India will be hoping Shardul Thakur recovers in time for the 2nd Test in Cape Town. India already miss Mohammed Shami, who was ruled out of the 2-Test series due to an injury.
On Friday, India added Avesh Khan to their Test squad as replacement for Shami. Avesh was brilliant in India A’s tour game against South Africa A, Avesh also had a good ODI series in which he picked up 6 wickets, including a 4-wicket haul in the first ODI as KL Rahul’s men went on to win the series 2-1.
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