A hand injury suffered in the match against Australia has thrown Shikhar Dhawan’s further World Cup participation into doubt but the in-form opener will remain with the team.
Dhawan was batting on 24 when a Pat Cummins bouncer hit him on the back of his left hand in the region between the index finger and thumb during the game at The Oval on Sunday.
The left-hander braved the pain and made a match-winning 117 as India beat the defending champions by 36 runs.
Team India opening batsman Mr Shikhar Dhawan is presently under the observation of the BCCI medical team. The team management has decided that Mr Dhawan will continue to be in England and his progress will be monitored. #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/8f1RelCsXf
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 11, 2019
Dhawan did not field when Australia were chasing and was seen with his hand in an ice pack in the dressing-room.
The India Cricket Board released a statement saying: “Shikhar Dhawan is presently under the observation of the BCCI medical team.
“The team management has decided that Dhawan will continue to be in England and his progress will be monitored.”
. @RishabPant777 is on standby for Shikhar Dhawan - @ImSanjayBangar🗣️🔊 #TeamIndia #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/uuZTcRmoJ2
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 12, 2019
The board did not elaborate how many matches Dhawan would miss but his absence is a serious jolt after a smooth start to India’s bid for a third 50-overs World Cup title.
Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, has been flown in as cover for Dhawan.