SA vs IND 2018: Shikhar Dhawan Fit Again, Available for the First Test

Shikhar Dhawan who was doubtful for the first Test against South Africa due to an ankle injury has been declared fit and is now available for selection for the first Test scheduled to begin from 5^th January in Cape Town.

Just before the team left, Dhawan was seen limping and his left ankle was heavily strapped on. Dhawan’s injury concerns in the past few days raised some serious questions on his availability for the first Test and put KL Rahul in line for his first Test in South Africa.

Dhawan’s recent form and his contribution to the success of the team has been a blessing for the Indian team. A member of the Indian team management spoke to CricketNext and confirmed that Dhawan was fine and wasn’t in pain.

“Dhawan is fine, and there is no discomfort as he hit the nets today. You can see he is moving freely. But a final call on the playing XI isn’t something that I can talk about. That is for the coach and captain to decide,”

However, the decision of him playing in the first Test depends on the skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri. Dhawan got back to practice and was seen in the nets hitting some balls with the head coach Shastri standing behind him.

BCCI also released an E-mail which confirmed that the southpaw was fit again. The e-mail read as,

“India opener Shikhar Dhawan is fit and is available for selection for the first Test. Mr Dhawan had suffered a minor ankle injury before the team’s departure to South Africa,”

Dhawan has struggled on away tours and has been vulnerable on the seaming wickets in the past. Dhawan averages just 29.91 in 13 matches outside the Indian sub-continent. However, given his recent form, he will be the first choice opener if he is fully fit.

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