Shikhar Dhawan out of World Cup 2019, Rishabh Pant named replacement

Shikhar Dhawan, who suffered a hairline fracture on his thumb, has been replaced by Rishabh Pant in the India sqaud for the remainder of the World Cup. Dhawan suffered a hairline fracture during his match-winning 117 against Australia at The Oval on June 9.

The Indian team management has sought the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) approval for a replacement for Dhawan, who was expected to recover in 4 weeks but it didn't go according to plan.

"Shikhar Dhawan has been diagnosed with a fracture of the first metacarpal on his left hand following a ball impact injury during the team's first match versus Australia at the Oval on 5th June 2019," the BCCI said in a statement.

"Following several specialist opinions, he will remain in a cast until the middle of July and therefore will not be available for the remainder of World Cup 2019."

The BCCI now has to write to the Technical Committee of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and officially request for Dhawan's replacement.

The team management had put Shikhar Dhawan under observation but called in Rishabh Pant from India as cover just before India's match against New Zealand, which was eventually was washed out without a ball being bowled.

In the next game on June 16, KL Rahul walked in to open with Rohit Sharma against Pakistan, scored 57 and added a record 136 for the 1st wicket.

India have had a great start to their World Cup campaign. They have won against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan while the game against New Zealand was washed out. India next face Afghanistan before they take on West Indies, hosts England, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Shikhar Dhawan is one of India's most prized assets. He has 6 hundreds in ICC tournaments: 3 in Champions Trophy and 3 in World Cup. Along with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohlli, Dhawan forms a formidable top-3 that is the envy of the rest of the cricketing world.

Shikhar Dhawan battled pain against Australia to score a hundred that helped India outclass the defending champions. He was seen training at the gym and was also spotted on the ground during India's nets session before the high-voltage clash against Pakistan at Old Trafford.

Rishabh Pant is a destructive batsman in the middle-order but was left out of India's original World Cup squad as the selectors decided to go with Dinesh Karthik as the second wicketkeeper. Pant had told AajTak he was disappointed with the omission but promised to turn his focus to the Indian Premier League.

Rishabh Pant arrived in England shortly before India's match against Pakistan and even trained with the team.