Why Shardul Thakur is Not Playing Today’s Match Between MI and LSG

Why Shardul Thakur is Not Playing Today

The question of why Shardul Thakur is not playing today’s match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has been answered as LSG made a strategic team change at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. In a significant roster update for the IPL 2025 encounter, pace sensation Mayank Yadav has replaced Shardul Thakur in the Lucknow Super Giants playing XI against Mumbai Indians.

This substitution marks one of the most anticipated comebacks of the IPL 2025 season, as Mayank Yadav returns after an extended rehabilitation period. The decision explaining why Shardul Thakur is not playing today appears to be primarily tactical rather than injury-related, as LSG captain Rishabh Pant confirmed at the toss that this was their only change to the lineup for the crucial match at Wankhede.

Mayank Yadav’s Long-Awaited Return

While fans wonder why Shardul Thakur is not playing today’s match, the spotlight has shifted to Mayank Yadav’s comeback story. After an extended rehabilitation at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE), pace sensation Mayank Yadav joined LSG on April 16. However, he had to wait before making his return to competitive cricket.

The young pacer’s last competitive game was in October 2024 when he featured in a T20I against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. Since then, he has been out of action due to a back injury, and his comeback was further delayed by a toe injury during his rehabilitation at the CoE. With Shardul Thakur making way, Mayank now has the opportunity to showcase his express pace at the Wankhede Stadium.

Complete Team Changes for MI vs LSG

Understanding why Shardul Thakur is not playing today’s match is just one part of the team updates. Mumbai Indians have also made two significant changes to their lineup for this important clash. They have brought in leg-spinner Karn Sharma in place of left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, adding a different dimension to their bowling attack.

Additionally, Mumbai Indians have handed a debut to South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch, who replaces Vignesh Puthur in the squad. These changes indicate both teams’ willingness to adapt their strategies based on the conditions at Wankhede Stadium and their current position in the IPL 2025 points table.

Captain Pant’s Decision at the Toss

While explaining why Shardul Thakur is not playing today, LSG captain Rishabh Pant also revealed his strategic thinking after winning the toss. Pant opted to field first against Mumbai Indians, citing the conditions at Wankhede Stadium as a key factor in his decision.

“We are bowling first. We feel the wicket is still on the batting side. It is a day game. We want to make use of the slightly drier conditions under the sun. It will get better for batting during the second innings,” Pant explained at the toss. His assessment suggests that the team is looking to leverage the conditions by bowling first and then chasing what they hope will be a manageable target on a surface that improves for batting.

Mayank Yadav’s Injury History

The question of why Shardul Thakur is not playing today leads us to examine the careful management of Mayank Yadav’s return. With a concerning history of injury issues—including five stress fractures in the last two years—the LSG management has operated with caution regarding Mayank. This prudent approach is understandable given his injury record.

Even in the 2024 edition of IPL, Mayank played only four games before being ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a side strain. His brief but impactful stint last season, where he consistently clocked speeds of over 150 km/h, made him one of the most exciting prospects in Indian cricket. Now that he replaces Shardul Thakur in today’s match, fans are eager to see if he can maintain both his pace and fitness.

Complete Playing XIs for Both Teams

Now that we understand why Shardul Thakur is not playing today’s match, let’s look at the complete lineups for both teams in this crucial IPL 2025 encounter:

Mumbai Indians Playing XI

Ryan Rickelton (wk), Rohit Sharma, Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (capt), Naman Dhir, Corbin Bosch, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Karn Sharma

Lucknow Super Giants Playing XI

Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (wk/capt), Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav

The inclusion of Mayank Yadav in place of Shardul Thakur significantly alters LSG’s bowling attack, potentially adding raw pace to complement their existing bowling resources. This change could prove decisive, especially on the Wankhede pitch that traditionally offers some assistance to faster bowlers.

Match Implications for IPL 2025

The decision regarding why Shardul Thakur is not playing today comes at a crucial juncture in IPL 2025. Both Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are fighting for playoff positions, making this encounter particularly significant. The strategic changes in both teams’ lineups reflect their determination to secure a vital victory.

For LSG, the introduction of Mayank Yadav could potentially transform their bowling attack, adding an element of extreme pace that few teams possess. For Mayank himself, this represents a golden opportunity to make an impact in IPL 2025 after missing most of the previous season due to injuries.

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Published on April 28, 2025 | Last Updated: April 28, 2025