Shardul Thakur hospitalized due to fever after Day 2 of Irani Cup 2024 clash against Rest of India 

Mumbai all-rounder Shardul Thakur had to be rushed to a hospital following the end of Day 2 of the ongoing 2024 Irani Cup clash against the Rest of India. Thakur battled fever to compete at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, but his condition aggravated from a mild level after spending considerable time at the crease while batting with Sarfaraz Khan.

Thakur scored 36 runs off 59 deliveries to help his side stretch their first-innings total over the 500-run mark. The all-rounder hit four fours and a six before being dismissed by Saransh Jain off the final over of the day. He had taken a couple of breaks during the innings due to his condition and was checked upon by the team's medical staff.

According to a report by the Indian Express, Thakur is expected to spend the night at the hospital. The doctors will take a call regarding his further participation in the match before the play's resumption on Day 3 (Thursday, October 3).

“He was not feeling well for the entire day and was running on high fever, which was the main reason he came out to bat late. He was feeling weak and he slept in the dressing room after taking medicine. But he wanted to bat despite feeling low. We have got his blood test done for malaria and dengue. We are waiting for the results. Till then, he will spend the night in hospital,” a source told The Indian Express.

The Irani Cup marked Thakur's official return to competitive cricket after undergoing foot surgery in London on June 12. He was last seen in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Upon recovering from injury, he played in the KSCA Invitational tournament to prepare for the Irani Cup.

"I have been part of the India team for the last eight years but how many games have I played?" - Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur missed the Duleep Trophy due to his injury setback and is unlikely to be a part of Team India's ongoing home season. However, his demand is bound to increase with the side scheduled to tour Australia and England shortly. Thakur has been a vital presence in overseas Tests as the fourth seamer and all-round option extending the batting depth.

“I have been part of the India team for the last eight years but how many games have I played? So, again, whatever limited opportunities that I have got, I have to give my best. Sometimes it happens for me, sometimes it doesn’t. I would say when it doesn’t happen, there are 10 other guys in the team. It’s a team sport. I perform with the help of teammates, and I also fail with the help of teammates, that’s what I will say," Thakur said in a recent interview with Sportstar.

Mumbai finished Day 2 on 536-9, courtesy of Sarfaraz Khan's mammoth double hundred. Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, and Tanush Kotian also chipped in with half-centuries.