India opener Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the 2019 edition of the World Cup as he is not in a position to recover in time for the remaining games of the showpiece event. He will be replaced by Rishabh Pant.
Speaking to IANS, sources in the know of developments said that Dhawan has been ruled out as the injury will take more than two weeks to recover.
"Dhawan has been ruled out. He is not in a position to take part in the World Cup," the source said.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also confirmed the news by tweeting about the same on Wednesday. "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," BCCI's official Twitter handle tweeted. It also followed it up with another tweet which said, "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 #CWC19."
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 #CWC19
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 19, 2019
India's assistant coach Sanjay Bangar had earlier said that the team management did not want to rule out injured opener Shikhar Dhawan and wanted to observe his progress.
"We will take at least 10-12 days to take a call on Shikhar's condition. We don't want to rule out a precious player like him," Bangar had told the media on the eve of India's third World Cup clash against New Zealand.
Dhawan suffered the injury after being hit by a Pat Cummins delivery during his 109-ball 117 knock against Australia. While the X-ray didn't show any fracture, CT scan revealed otherwise and Dhawan was taken to a specialist for further assessment.
Promising wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is already with the team as cover for Dhawan. He reached Manchester and joined the Indian team ahead of the clash against Pakistan.