Indian cricket team’s opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (CWC 19) for three weeks. The left-handed opening batsman suffered thumb injury against Australia when a Nathan Coulter-Nile delivery hit him on his left thumb. Dhawan is suspected to have suffered a hairline fracture. Meanwhile, speculations are rife that wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant might replace the injured Dhawan. Shikhar Dhawan Ruled Out of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 For 3 Weeks, Team India to Miss Opener Who Sustained Thumb Injury During IND vs AUS Match!

Pant, who was left out of the initial squad for the World Cup, has a huge fan following because of his aggressive style of batting. After Pant was not included in the team India for the World Cup, fans were disappointed. Now that Dhawan is injured, fans want Pant to be named as his replacement.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, who made his Test and ODI debut in 2018, has been tipped as MS Dhoni’s successor. The 21-year-old has already played three Test matches in England and in six innings he managed to score a century at The Oval in London. This is something that can go in his favour. Also earlier this year, Pant scored his second Test century during India’s tour of Australia. As of now, the wicketkeeper has played five ODIs for India and in four innings he has managed just 93 runs, including the highest score of 36. Shikhar Dhawan Fans Abuse Nathan Coulter-Nile for Injuring Team India Opener and Putting His CWC 2019 Participating in Doubt!

Rishabh Pant Stats and Records in ODIs, Tests and T20Is.

Matches Inns Runs HS Ave SR 100s 50s
ODIs 5 4 93 36 23.25 130.98 0 0
Tests 9 15 696 159* 49.71 73.80 2 2
T20Is 15 14 233 58 19.41 119.48 0 1

Here are Some Fan Reactions 

Straight

Pant, no one else!

Hope!

So much support!

No better than Pant!

Dhawan’s absence will be a big blow to the Indian team. The left-hander is known to score heavily in ICC tournament and it was evident in his two outings thus far. Against South Africa Dhawan managed only eight runs but against Australia, the left-hander scored 117 runs. Interesting, some believe India won’t name any replacement for Dhawan assuming that the opener will be fit for last few round-robin matches and semi-finals.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 11, 2019 03:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).