“I am feeling excited to join Essex this summer. Personally it brings new challenges and opportunities to showcase my talent and skills.

County cricket is something I always wanted to experience and I am glad that I’ll be representing the Eagles,” Thakur was quoted as saying by Essex on their website.

Essex’s director of cricket and former England and Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood said, ““We were very clear amongst ourselves that a high quality quick bowler, with lower-order batting ability, was a key target for the Club this winter.”

He added, ““In Shardul, we have signed just that, and we can’t wait to welcome him to Essex and see how he gets on in the County Championship.”

Thakur, who was not picked by any of the Indian Premier League teams in the mega auction ahead of the 2025 season, would thus get ample game-time and exposure to conditions in England to prove his form and fitness ahead of India’s tour of England in June for five Tests.