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India’s versatile cricketer Shardul Thakur recently underwent a triumphant ankle surgery to address a persistent issue that had been bothering him. He took to social media on Wednesday, the 12th of June, to share the news of his successful operation. Thakur shared insights into his journey by posting a picture on his Instagram account. Additionally, he reminisced about his earlier foot surgery in May 2019, following an injury sustained during the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. Thakur traveled to London for the operation, marking a significant chapter in his recovery process.
Shardul posted the picture with the caption: “Operated successfully 🙏🏼 Now June 2024 vs ➡️ May 2019.”
Shardul Thakur has endured a string of injuries throughout his career, causing him to miss significant cricketing opportunities both at the national and domestic levels. His injury woes began during his debut Test match against West Indies and have persisted since then, repeatedly sidelining him from important matches.
During the Test match at Lord’s against England, Thakur was forced to sit out due to a hamstring injury, further adding to his injury-plagued career. This year has been particularly challenging for him, with several notable absences from key games due to various injuries.
Earlier in the year, during India’s tour to South Africa, Thakur suffered an ankle injury, which led to his absence from the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 fixture against Kerala. Despite his comeback thereafter, he struggled to regain full fitness and advocated for longer intervals between tournaments to prevent injuries among players.
Despite these setbacks, Thakur showcased his prowess during the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season, delivering exceptional performances with both bat and ball for Mumbai. His stellar contributions included scoring 255 runs and claiming 12 wickets in five matches. Notably, he was named Player of the Match in the semi-final clash against Tamil Nadu for his remarkable century and four-wicket haul.
According to reports from the Times of India, Shardul Thakur had been enduring persistent ankle pain for an extended period. In an effort to alleviate the discomfort and remain fit for IPL 2024, he opted for injections, but unfortunately, they failed to provide the desired relief. Consequently, Thakur made the decision to undergo surgery following the IPL season, taking advantage of the three-month hiatus before the commencement of the 2024-25 domestic cricket season.
The procedure was performed by the same medical professional who had previously treated renowned athletes such as England’s football star Harry Kane and India’s fast bowler Mohammed Shami. Thakur’s last appearance on the field was during the Indian Premier League, where he represented the Chennai Super Kings. However, his performance in the tournament was below par, as he managed to secure only five wickets in nine matches, with an economy rate of 9.76 and an average of 61.80, marking a challenging period for the all-rounder.
