India opener Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 after failing to recover from the thumb fracture sustained earlier in the tournament.
The Indian team manager, Sunil Subramaniam, confirmed the news to reporters during a press conference at the Ageas Bowl on Wednesday. The BCCI has put a request to the World Cup technical committee to allow Rishabh Pant, who linked up with the Indian team last week after being called up as cover for Dhawan, as the replacement in India’s squad of 15.
“Shikhar Dhawan has been diagnosed with a fracture of the first metacarpal on his left hand. Following specialist opinions, he will remain in a cast until the middle of July and therefore will not be available for the remainder of the World Cup,” said the BCCI.
Dhawan’s place at the top of the batting lineup was taken by KL Rahul, who was bumped up from the middle order to open against Pakistan at Old Trafford last Sunday. Rahul scored a half-century in his first innings as opener alongside Indian vice-captain Rohit Sharma.
