Shikhar Dhawan ruled out of Indore Test with minor injury

Indian opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the third and final Test match against New Zealand scheduled to take place at Indore with a minor fracture to his finger. The injury to Dhawan occurred in the first innings on the first day’s play whilst facing Trent Boult. A lot of eyebrows were raised when Dhawan has selected ahead of Gautam Gambhir.

The first over of the match itself saw Dhawan get struck on the bottom hand thumb by a rising delivery from Trent Boult. Ian Farhart, the team physiotherapist spent a considerable amount of time with the southpaw in the middle before the 30-year old was struck on the thumb yet again in the very next over.

This time, although there was a smile on the face of Dhawan, it was clear that Dhawan had to go on, to keep his place in the side at the very least. Although he showed grit whilst batting, he was replaced by Gautam Gambhir in the field for the most part. A tweet released with a source close to the BCCI read: “Shikhar Dhawan has a minor fracture on left hand, advised 15 days rest. Out of Indore Test. Replacement to be named in due course. #indvsnz”

Shikhar Dhawan has a minor fracture on left hand, advised 15 days rest. Out of Indore Test. Replacement to be named in due course. #indvsnz

— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) October 3, 2016

India now has an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series as well as the world number one ranking in Test matches. However, in spite of this, the ranking could still be snatched from their secure grasp should the Kiwis claim a win in the final Test and Pakistan complete a whitewash against the West Indies in their upcoming Test series.

Also read – India v New Zealand, 2nd Test: India Player Ratings