World Cup 2019: India left high and dry after Shikhar Dhawan injury

Shikhar Dhawan receives treatment after being hit on his left thumb by a rising delivery v Australia on Sunday; (right) Dhawan struggles against an Aussie bouncer. pics/ AFP

Shikhar Dhawan's thumb injury has become a major cause for concern in the Indian team management. The opener is "under observation" as per official communication received from the BCCI, and it is learnt that no replacement has been sought by the Indian team management so far.

While facing Australian pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile, the southpaw sustained an injury on the back of his left hand in the region between the index figure and thumb during his century at The Oval on Sunday. It is quite clear that Dhawan will not be available for Thursday's match against New Zealand here at Trent Bridge and for the Pakistan clash at Manchester on June 16.

Shikhar Dhawan

No replacement for now

A decision on the replacement will only be taken if the BCCI's medical team rules out Dhawan from the tournament. His progress will be closely monitored in the coming weeks before arriving at any decision. A replacement can only be sought from the ICC technical committee if a player is ruled out.

With Dhawan being ruled out, at least, for the next two matches, India are left without an attacking left-handed batsman and India will feel the void left by the southpaw. Ahead of the World Cup, legendary Sachin Tendulkar had told mid-day that India need not worry over a lack of left-handers: "If there is a left-hander in the middle order then that gets the opposition thinking and they have to readjust their field settings. The bowlers have to constantly readjust their lines and lengths. So, it is an important part, but it is not the end of the world."

Run machine

Meanwhile, India must cope with the absence of one of their prolific run-getters. Dhawan amassed 1238 runs in the last 20 ICC matches (World Cup and Champions Trophy).

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