Rishabh Pant to join Indian Cricket Team in England after Shikhar Dhawan’s thumb injury during the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
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The Indian Cricket Team and fans received a massive shock when a swollen thumb turned out to be an hairline fracture as India’s star opener- Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out for as many as 3 weeks in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
After a number of possible conjectures as to who would be drafted into the squad, it is finally the flamboyant wicket-keeper batsman from Delhi- Rishabh Pant who will board the England flight to finally join Team India as part of their 15-member squad for the ongoing World Cup.
“He’s as good as ruled out”- Sources
As per the Times of India report, Shikhar Dhawan has been handed more than just a normal hairline fracture and his further participation in the World Cup looks highly unlikely.
As per the sources privy to the TOI, Dhawan will not be available as late as India’s match against Bangladesh (on July 2) or even the next one against Sri Lanka (on July 6) which will be the last league game India play before the knock out stages commence.
“He as good as ruled out”, commented one of the sources in vicinity to the latest developments.
“Once all the details on Dhawan’s injury are out, the team management will put an official request for a replacement. And that replacement is going to be Pant. The injury is bad enough to be asked for a replacement”, told the sources.
The Indian Team management however, will be given a full detailed report at around 6:30 pm IST (2 pm UK time).
Pant gets a lucky call
The wicket-keeper batsman was pretty much disappointed after the selection snub he received from the management. The selection committee hinted his lack of experience as the reason for the same. There were many raised eyebrows after he was not included into the squad, as even the likes of Australia’s present assistant coach Ricky Ponting was surprised over his non-selection.
Pant had a brilliant 12th season of the IPL for his franchise Delhi Capitals as he scored 488 runs in 16 matches at an average of 37.53 with 3 fifties under his belt.
Given the dearth of left-handers in the present Indian side, it should not surprise many if he even gets an opportunity to feature in the Playing 11 in a few matches (if not all the remaining), although the likes of the experienced Dinesh Karthik and Vijay Shankar are likely to stake their claims first in the side.
