World Cup 2019: Shikhar Dhawan ruled out of rest of the tournament due to thumb injury

Shikhar Dhawan has was forced to leave as the injury on his left thumb will take more than two weeks to recover

After failing to recover from a thumb fracture, ace Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019. As learned from several media reports, Dhawan has to leave as the injury will take more than two weeks to recover.

Official Announcement 🚨🚨 - @SDhawan25 ruled out of the World Cup. We wish him a speedy recovery #TeamIndia #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/jdmEvt52qS

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 19, 2019

India's assistant coach Sanjay Bangar had earlier said that the team management did not want to rule out injured opener Shikhar Dhawan and wanted to observe his progress. “We will take at least 10-12 days to take a call on Shikhar's condition. We don't want to rule out a precious player like him,” Bangar had told the media on the eve of India's third World Cup clash against New Zealand. Dhawan suffered the injury after being hit by a Pat Cummins delivery during his 109-ball 117 knock against Australia. While the X-ray didn't show any fracture, CT scan revealed otherwise and Dhawan was taken to a specialist for further assessment. Promising wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is already with the team as cover for Dhawan. He reached Manchester and joined the Indian team ahead of the clash against Pakistan on June 16. His addition to the side was backed by the likes of the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar felt the Delhi-lad deserved to be in if Dhawan was to be forced out owing to his "cracking hot form". Pant had scored impressive hundreds during the Test tours of England and Australia. He also enjoyed a good run in the IPL last month.