Shardul Thakur rushed to Lucknow hospital with high fever after Irani Cup dismissal; still managed to bat: Report

Thakur had shown signs of illness on Day 1 with a mild fever, but his condition deteriorated further after batting for nearly two hours on Day 2. The all-rounder had to pause twice during his innings for the team doctor to attend to him.

Despite his deteriorating health, Thakur pushed through and remained committed to his team’s cause. Following his valiant knock, the Mumbai team management made the decision to take him to a nearby hospital, where he would be kept under observation for the night.

The medical team is closely monitoring Thakur’s condition, with doctors expected to make a decision on his fitness for Day 3 after evaluating his progress. A source told the newspaper that Thakur had been feeling weak throughout the day but still insisted on batting despite his fever.

Medical tests for potential illnesses such as malaria and dengue were carried out, and the team is awaiting results before making any decisions regarding his further participation in the match. Thakur’s resilience last 59 deliveries, during which he hit a six and four boundaries.

He played cautiously, avoiding rash shots, while trying to support Sarfaraz Khan, who remained unbeaten on 221 at the end of Day 2.

This match was Thakur's first domestic appearance since undergoing foot surgery in London earlier this year. He had sustained a foot injury during the previous Ranji Trophy season but played through the pain, significantly contributing to Mumbai’s title win.

However, the injury flared up again during India’s tour of South Africa, necessitating surgery. Thakur’s performance in the domestic season will be closely watched, as he aims to make a return to the national setup. With the Australia series later this year, Thakur will be aiming to make the most of the Ranji Trophy games heading into the tour Down Under.