Reports | Shikhar Dhawan ruled out of ICC World Cup 2019 after thumb injury escalation

Dhawan had taken a blow to his finger in the match against Australia and although he went on to score a century in the game, he left for Nottingham to have his scans done, which revealed a hairline fracture. He was out of India’s encounter against New Zealand and Pakistan and although the team management was hopeful that he would recover just in time for the last stage of the league matches, today, reports have emerged that he is out of the World Cup altogether.

Rishabh Pant has been named Shikhar Dhawan's replacement in the squad and the BCCI has sought the approval from the ICC. Pant was one of the standbys announced in the team when the team was announced in April and had already joined the Indian team. He practised with the Indian team in the official designation of “team officials” and was in the stands when the game was on.

In Dhawan’s absence, KL Rahul will continue opening with Rohit Sharma and it remains to be seen if India will straightaway draft Pant into the team or continue having their horses for courses policy intact in the future matches. 

PS: BCCI has later confirmed the news through a Tweet.