Dhawan suffers hand injury, might not bat

India were dealt a blow ahead of the final day's play in the third Test against Australia in Mohali, with debutant centurion Shikhar Dhawan suffering a hand injury while fielding.

India were dealt a blow ahead of the final day's play in the third Test against Australia in Mohali, with debutant centurion Shikhar Dhawan suffering a hand injury while fielding.

Dhawan, who had smashed his way into the record books on Saturday by scoring the fastest-ever Test century on debut in India's first innings, was last night seen outside the Fortis Hospital in Chandigarh with two bandages on his fingers.

A precautionary x-ray was performed on Dhawan that revealed no fracture, but sources claimed doctors had advised the swashbuckling opener to not bat in the second innings.

The Indian team management was hopeful that he would bat in the second innings if required.

Seeking to win their third successive Test in the ongoing four-match series against Australia, India will hope to have Dhawan batting, if required, in their second innings.

The 27-year-old Delhi batsman made 187 in the first innings, reaching the three-figure mark off a mere 85 balls while surpassing the previous record held by West Indian Dwayne Smith.