Australian batter Cameron Bancroft is appointed the red ball captain for the upcoming 2025 County Championship this April. Bancroft, who returned to the Bristol-based club in 2024, will lead the team following his outstanding year in the field across all formats.

The famed cricketer is set to be back in action after recovering from a serious shoulder injury and nose fracture during the Big Bash League 14 last January. He was involved in a collision with Sydney Thunders�?Daniel Sams, forcing him to miss several matches.

While still in the recovery phase, Bancroft hopes to return well for Western Australia’s (WA) Sheffield Shield in March before heading to England for the 2025 County season. ‘It takes time for the body to heal…I’m getting really close and looking forward to playing some cricket at the start of March�? he noted.

This will not be Bancroft’s first time leading a team. He has previously captained Durham in the 2019 County season.

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Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur has signed a seven-game deal with Essex, an English cricket club, to make his County Championship debut in April. He expressed his excitement about joining the club and how this will allow him to showcase his skills on a different platform.

‘County cricket is something I always wanted to experience and I am glad that I’ll be representing the Eagles�? Thakur shared. The Essex Director of Cricket, Chris Silverwood, also voiced the club’s enthusiasm for a new, high-quality bowler joining them.

The 33-year-old’s bold move was announced after his outstanding performance in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. He has scored 439 runs at 39.90 and claimed 34 wickets at 21.67 so far.

Thakur’s Indian cricket league journey

Thakur has made a name for himself in the Indian cricket league. Having played for multiple teams, including PBKS, RPS, DC, and CSK, Thakur steadily proved himself to be an all-rounder on the field. 

The fast bowler’s Indian cricket league career highlights a handful of match-winning performances, including his wicket-claiming skills. He was particularly noted for his 2021 performance with CSK, claiming 21 wickets at an average of 25.09—conceding over 500 runs against KKR. This helped them secure the 2021 Indian cricket league’s title.

However, despite his past successful plays, Thakur was not bought by any team during the 2025 Indian cricket league auction. This news came as a massive shock, sparking discussions about his form and the dynamics of the Indian cricket league this year. Some experts believe that the rise of younger players might have played a role in his unsold status.

Thakur later expressed disappointment in not having any team professing faith in him and his decade-long skills. Still, he pointed out that every player faces highs and lows, but this will never change the quality of his game.

Thakur’s awaiting cricket future

With the 2025 season fast approaching, Thakur takes on this new challenge to prove himself. While his Indian cricket league career might be temporarily on hold, Essex could be the perfect opportunity for him to rediscover his form.

After the County Championship, the all-rounder is eyeing a spot in the Indian squad for their upcoming five-match Test series with England by June. He shared his intentions and determination to play a significant role in the series.

The English Test series is challenging for visiting teams due to the English clubs�?superb pitches for seam and swing bowling. However, Thakur’s top-notch bowling style and batting skills are well-suited to these matches. His participation in the Test series might just be India’s chance to bring home victory.

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