Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan (Credits: Twitter)

New Zealand talisman batsman Ross Taylor has stated that loss of injured Shikhar Dhawan is a massive blow to the India National Cricket Team. Dhawan was hit on his left-hand thumb by Pat Cummins during his century against Australia in India’s second World Cup match. Subsequently, it was discovered that Dhawan has suffered a hairline fracture which has ruled him out of at least three weeks.

Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan has been a big player for the Indian team. The southpaw batsman has been a consistent batsman and has scored his runs all around the globe. Furthermore, Shikhar Dhawan’s record in major ICC tournament has been staggering. Dhawan was India’s leading run-getter in the 2015 World Cup and he also has two Champions Trophy golden bats in his cabinet.

Shikhar Dhawan
Getty Images

Shikhar Dhawan has an impressive record in ICC events.

Thus, Shikhar Dhawan has been a big match player for India and he is going to be missed by the team. Meanwhile, KL Rahul is now going to open with vice-captain Rohit Sharma. Consequently, all-rounder, Vijay Shankar is expected to bat at number four position in India’s third World Cup match against New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan absence is going to take away right and left-hand opening combination. In fact, Rishabh Pant has been called in as a cover for Shikhar Dhawan.

“Shikhar is a big loss to India. The present team plays very well at the ICC tournaments and he has a very good record over here. Rohit Sharma and Dhawan complement each other very well because of right and left-hand combination,” Taylor said during a press conference here on Wednesday ahead of his team’s match against India on Thursday.

Shikhar Dhawan will remain with the Indian team and he will be under the watchful eyes of the medical team of the BCCI.

Ross Taylor
Ross Taylor. Twitter

New Zealand has got off to a good start.

On the other hand, New Zealand has got off to a great start as they have won their opening three matches. Ross Taylor has also played his part as he scored a fine fifty against Bangladesh. New Zealand has won against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and they would like to keep up their success against Asian countries when they will take on India.

“It is still early on and I think all the nine teams, realistically seven teams are still in the hunt. First and foremost you have to the semi-finals regardless of whether you are top-seed or fourth-seed and you are just two wins away from lifting that cup. We are three from three and we are very happy but we know we got some bigger challenges ahead of us in the next couple of weeks,” he said.

India and New Zealand will take on each other at Trent Bridge on 13th June.

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