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CSK Reject Shardul Thakur Bags County Deal With Essex To Boost Test Comeback Chances

Kaushik Kashyap

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Shardul will play for Essex in upcoming County season. [Source: @theallrounder/x.com]Shardul will play for Essex in upcoming County season. [Source: @theallrounder/x.com]

In a significant development, Essex County has signed Indian cricketer Shardul Thakur for the upcoming County Championship in England. The all-rounder has agreed to play in 7 county matches for Essex County this summer as the Championship is scheduled to begin on April 4.

Shardul's Ranji Form: A Boost For Essex

Riding on the back of brilliant form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, Shardul will be hoping to carry his good form with the red-ball and be at his best in what will be his first-ever appearance in the English County. Playing for Mumbai, Shardul is currently the team's highest wicket-taker as he has taken 34 wickets this season, at an average of 21.67, including a hat-trick against Meghalaya.

Additionally, he has been brilliant with the bat, contributing under pressure and bailing out the team out of trouble more often than not. He has amassed a total of 402 runs in 10 innings this season at an average of 40.20, including a magnificent century against Jammu and Kashmir.

Notably, Shardul is not part of any IPL team for the upcoming 2025 edition and will be fully available to play in County cricket in England in the initial part of the summer.

Shardul Eyes Test Return In England

Shardul, who has represented India in 11 Tests and been a part of some of India's epic overseas wins recently, has found himself out of the Indian Test scheme of things following an injury last year.

With India touring England for a five-match Test series in England later this year, this county deal with Essex stand as a perfect opportunity for him to earn his place back in the Test team ahead of the England series.

To this date, Shardul has played a total of 91 first-class (FC) matches, scalping 296 wickets at an average of 27.26 and 2387 FC runs, with two centuries to his name. He is currently in action for Mumbai in the ongoing Ranji Trophy semi-final between Mumbai and Vidarbha in Nagpur.