India all-rounder Shardul Thakur was hospitalized on Wednesday night after battling a high fever during the ongoing Irani Cup match between Mumbai and the Rest of India (ROI). His participation in the remainder of the game now hangs in the balance.
Despite the spotlight being on Sarfaraz Khan, who smashed a remarkable double century to help Mumbai post a commanding 536, attention soon shifted to Shardul’s health concerns. Thakur, who played a crucial role with the bat, scoring 36 runs from 59 deliveries, had been battling a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit. His condition worsened after spending over two hours at the crease, leading to him being rushed to the hospital for further medical attention.
A source from The Indian Express reported that Shardul had undergone blood tests to rule out malaria and dengue, with results still awaited. Until then, the all-rounder was kept under observation in the hospital overnight.
Thakur’s health struggles became apparent when he came out to bat unusually low at No. 10, likely due to his weakness from the fever. Even during his innings, he required medical attention on two occasions but chose to carry on. After his knock, Thakur reportedly rested in the dressing room, taking medication to combat the fever.
Despite his illness, Shardul showcased immense determination, hitting four boundaries and a six in his innings. His 73-run partnership with Sarfaraz for the 10th wicket helped Mumbai surpass the 500-run milestone.
Shardul’s most recent Test appearance for India was in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia.
