India vs South Africa: Shardul Thakur suffers blow on shoulder ahead of second Test

India all-rounder Shardul Thakur on Saturday suffered a blow on the shoulder ahead of the second Test against South Africa that starts from 3 January in Cape Town. Shardul Thakur suffered the blow to his shoulder while batting at the nets. According to a report in PTI, Shardul Thakur could possibly miss the second Test, although scans could determine the extent of injury if required. However, it remains to be seen if this injury requires Shardul to undergo scans.

The report adds that Shardul Thakur looked in discomfort and was unable to bowl during the nets session.

Thakur was the first player to enter the throwdown nets and he hurt his left shoulder while facing throwdowns from Vikram Rathour, India’s batting coach.

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The injury left Shardul in a tangle, similar to when he was unable to deal with Rabada’s short delivery after the latter generated an edge, allowing David Beddingham to complete the catch. On this occasion too, Shardul failed to fend the short ball, eventually getting hit on the left shoulder and screaming in pain. Despite being in pain, Shardul continued batting in nets.

The physio then applied an ice pack sling on his shoulder once Shardul finished batting in the nets, and did not take any more part in the nets.

In the first Test in Centurion, Thakur had a rather underwhelming performance with both bat and ball. He went for 100 runs in just 19 overs in the first innings, and endured scores of 24 and 2 with the bat.