‘Speedy recovery partner’: Rohit Sharma wishes Shikhar Dhawan

Team India has had a terrific start to the 2019 World Cup campaign. Barring the washout against New Zealand in Nottingham, they have won all their games so far. They beat South Africa before whizzing past Australia and then dismantled Pakistan in a lopsided contest. The Virat Kohli-led side is sitting pretty with seven points from four games and look certain to qualify for the semis as well. A key element in their success has been the contribution of openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan

However, after the game against Australia, served them a blow. Opener Shikhar Dhawan was struck on his left thumb by a Pat Cummins bouncer. He went on to score a match-winning ton but was ruled out of action for the next few games due to a hairline fracture. Rishabh Pant was flown in as cover since the team was expecting Dhawan to get fit in time towards the business end of the tournament.

However, that possibility was ruled out after the team management consulted specialists, it was assessed that his injury will take longer to recover and his thumb will be under cast till mid-July. Thus, Dhawan has been ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup and Pant is his official replacement in the squad. In Dhawan’s absence, KL Rahul opened the batting alongside Rohit Sharma and Vijay Shankar was slotted in the middle-order in the game against Pakistan.

The Karnataka opener filled in for Dhawan really well as he struck a nice half-century. Meanwhile, Rohit took over and scored a majestic ton to help India register their third win of the tournament.

‘Speedy recovery partner’ Rohit Sharma tweets

Dhawan will head back home and recover from this injury.  With messages pouring in for the Indian opener from all around the world, his opening partner Rohit also sent out a tweet, “Speedy recovery partner @SDhawan25.”

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Rohit and Dhawan have formed a lethal opening pair for India over the last six years. It was in the Champions Trophy in 2013 that the duo started opening together. Since then, they haven’t looked back. The two characteristic batsmen have shared some memorable partnerships and in fact, they are the fourth on the list of most runs by opening pairs in ODI cricket. Moreover, they share a great camaraderie off the field as well.