MUMBAI: Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan on Tuesday was ruled out of the coming five-T20I series in New Zealand, due to shoulder injury.
According to a report in Cricinfo, the left-hand batsman did not travel with the Indian squad that left for Auckland on Monday and the selectors have not named a replacement yet. The 34-year-old had picked up the injury, while diving to stop a drive from Aaron Finch at cover-point in the fifth over of Australia’s innings in the third ODI against Australia in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Dhawan soon left the field, clutching his shoulder and didn’t come out to bat in India’s chase, as he was rushed to a hospital during the match for X-rays. He was later spotted in the Indian dressing room with his arm in a sling, as India won by seven wickets.
The T20I series will begin on January 24, and will be followed by a series of three ODIs from February 5. If Dhawan doesn’t recover in time for ODI games, India will have the option of choosing from either Sanju Samson, Mayank Agarwal or Prithvi Shaw, all of whom are already in New Zealand with the India A squad for a three-match one-day series, beginning on Wednesday.
Shubman Gill, who made his ODI debut in New Zealand last year, is also in the host country, with the A squad. (AGENCIES)
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