India A opener Shikhar Dhawan hurt his thumb at nets on Thursday, effectively being ruled out of the upcoming series against Australia A. Dhawan was facing up to a bowling machine when he was struck on the hand.
With initial scans revealing a hairline fracture, Dhawan will be out of action for at least a couple of weeks. Speaking from Bangalore, a dejected Dhawan said: "It is very unfortunate. I was facing the bowling machine when one just kicked up and hit me smack on the hand."
It has been a breakthrough season for Dhawan, with the southpaw scoring a heap of runs, first for Delhi in Ranji Trophy, and then, for the Delhi IPL team. Those performances earned him a call-up to the Emerging Players meet in Australia, where he finished as India's best batsman by a distance. And while many had tipped him to make it to the national team after Tendulkar pulled out of the Lanka series, Dhawan was pipped to the post by his Delhi teammate Virat Kohli.
This series against Australia A was a perfect opportunity for Dhawan to stake a claim for a place in the team. Dhawan will now have to wait for the domestic season to send the selectors a reminder.
{{/usCountry}}This series against Australia A was a perfect opportunity for Dhawan to stake a claim for a place in the team. Dhawan will now have to wait for the domestic season to send the selectors a reminder.
{{/usCountry}}As far as naming a replacement for Dhawan, national selector, Bhupinder Singh Sr told HT that as of now no replacements had been discussed. "We have just learnt about Dhawan's injury and will get together and pick a replacement in the coming days, if we feel the need for one," he said.
Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said since it was a 15-member squad, it wasn't imperative to call up a replacement. "We have enough fit players," he said.