Skip to main content
xYOU DESERVE INDEPENDENT, CRITICAL MEDIA. We want readers like you. Support independent critical media.

Opener Down: Shikhar Dhawan Ruled Out of ICC World Cup 2019

Shikhar Dhawan, who scored a century in Indian cricket team’s ICC World Cup 2019 game against Australia, sustained a fracture during the course of his innings.
Indian cricket team's Shikhar Dhawan at the ICC World Cup 2019

Indian cricket team’s Shikhar Dhawan injured his left thumb after being hit by a rising delivery from Australia’s Nathan Coulter-Nile during their ICC World Cup 2019 match on June 9.

Indian cricket team opener Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out of the 2019 ICC World Cup due to a thumb injury he picked up during the match against Australia.

Dhawan, who played through the pain against the Aussies on June 9, hitting a match-winning 117 off 109 balls, has sustained a fracture which could take more than three weeks to recover. Dhawan, the Man of the Match, ignored the pain after being hit on the left thumb by a rising delivery from Aussie pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile.  


The 33-year-old didn't field during the Australian chase, with Ravindra Jadeja replacing him for the entire 50 overs. After the match, he underwent scans, which revealed the fracture.

Also Read | Yuvraj Singh, Indian Cricket’s Prince of Comebacks, Retires

Dhawan, who hit form with the ton against Australia, will be sorely missed by the Indian team management. Skipper Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Ravi Shastri would be deliberating a Plan B before India’s next match — against New Zealand in Nottingham on June 13.

Delhi batsman Rishabh Pant or Hyderabad’s Ambati Rayudu are likely to be called in as replacement for Dhawan.

Also Read | Home is Where the Asian Fans Are in England

There are also rumours that the team management might call up Mumbai batsman and India A skipper Shreyas Iyer as the replacement. Iyer, a specialist No. 4 batsman, is currently in England. If he is roped in, then there is a likelihood of seeing KL Rahul open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma.

The ICC World Cup, which began on May 30, ends on July 14.

Read more sports stories from Newsclick

Get the latest reports & analysis with people's perspective on Protests, movements & deep analytical videos, discussions of the current affairs in your Telegram app. Subscribe to NewsClick's Telegram channel & get Real-Time updates on stories, as they get published on our website.

Subscribe Newsclick On Telegram

Latest