Shikhar Dhawan ruled out of World Cup 2019, Rishabh Pant to replace the star opener

Shikhar Dhawan is now officially ruled out of the World Cup and Rishabh Pant has been named as his replacement. Shikhar Dhawan suffered from a thumb injury during Australia match after a faced a short ball from Nathan Coulter-Nile.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took to their official Twitter handle to announce the news. BCCI wrote, “UPDATE- 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.”

Shikhar Dhawan played a crucial knock against Australia where he scored a brilliant century despite suffering from the blow during Coulter-Nile’s over. Dhawan won the man of the match award for his hundred.

India played against their arch-rival Pakistan without their star opener Dhawan and KL Rahul opened the innings with Rohit Sharma. KL Rahul played a good knock of 57 runs in his first game as an opener. Both Rahul and Rohit notched up 136-run partnership against Pakistan which was also the highest opening partnership by India against the men in green in a World Cup match.

India will play against Afghanistan on June 22 in Southampton and they will play without Bhuveneshwar Kumar also their key bowler who suffered from hamstring during Pakistan match.

Also read: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma spotted in London streets after Pakistan clash; see pics