India’s world cup hopes suffered a big blow as in-form opener Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out of the ongoing world cup for three weeks due to thumb fracture. The southpaw got hit on his thumb in the match against Australia which raised concerns for the team management. Dhawan went onto score a match winning hundred for the team but didn’t come to field in the second innings after which Ravindra Jadeja was sent as a substitute fielder.
Dhawan was hit twice in the match- first in the 9th over bowled by Patt Cummins when he was batting at 24 and second in the 40th over when he took a blow on a sharp uprising bowl by Nathan Coulter-Nile.
The 33-year-old went for a scan in Leeds with team physio Patrick Farhart on Tuesday where it was revealed that he had a fractured thumb. Team India reached Nottingham on Monday- the host city for India vs New Zealand clash which takes place on 13th June.
Positive news from the medical team
The selectors called Rishabh Pant to join the team in England as a back-up option for Shikhar Dhawan. They didn’t rule out Dhawan from the tournament, considering the impact of 33-year-old in the ICC tournaments.
Meanwhile, the Indian team’s medical team has given a ray of hope to the team management. It is believed that Dhawan will be available to play in the latter half of the tournament, according to a report by ESPNCricinfo. He might play in the match against hosts England that takes place on 30th June at Edgbaston. His availability in later stage of the tournament may boost India’s chances in the play-off stages of the tournament if India manages to qualify.
The southpaw from Delhi is likely to miss the important clash against Pakistan followed by games against Afghanistan and West Indies.
