In a blow to the Indian team going into the business end, all-rounder Vijay Shankar has been ruled out of the World Cup with a toe injury. While the blow at the nets off Jasprit Bumrah hadn’t looked very serious to start with, it looks to have been aggravated. Mayank Agarwal is set to replace Vijay Shankar for the rest of the tournament.
Speaking to IANS, sources in the know of developments said that Shankar has been ruled out and the BCCI may now make a formal request to the ICC to call in a replacement.
India skipper Virat Kohli had informed at the toss during the England game on Sunday that the all-rounder had a toe niggle and the signs weren't too good.
"Vijay Shankar has a toe niggle, Rishabh Pant is in. He brings in a lot of fearlessness. Once he gets to 20, then he's unstoppable," Kohli had said. Vijay injured his toe after being struck by a Jasprit Bumrah yorker in the nets.
In fact, speaking on the eve of the England game, Kohli had praised Shankar and said: "So you can't really sit down and pinpoint things. But I personally felt that he (Shankar) looked really solid. There's not much that needs to be tinkered with. Sometimes in cricket you just need a bit of luck to get over from 30 to 60, and then you play a defining knock for the team. He's very close to that, and we're very confident that he's going to end up playing that kind of knock for us."
Vijay Shankar was picked ahead of Ambati Rayudu due to his all-round ability to contribute with the ball and the bat. He picked up 2 wickets and scored 15 not out in the game against Pakistan. He was drafted into the team after an injury to Shikhar Dhawan left India needing another batsman in the playing XI.
He suffered a niggle on his toe after falling prey to one of Jasprit Bumrah’s yorkers during the net practice sessions. Despite the toe injury, he was seen bringing drinks to the Indian players in Sunday’s game against England.
(With inputs from IANS)