SA vs IND 2018: Shikhar Dhawan Doubtful for First Test Due to Ankle Issue
Published - 28 Dec 2017, 10:49 AM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:47 PM
India opener, Shikhar Dhawan, is in doubt for the first Test match of the series against South Africa, as the batsman was seen with a heavily strapped left-ankle, as per a report in PTI.
As of now, no official announcement has been made by BCCI, and he has also travelled with the team to South Africa for the series.
“Shikhar Dhawan’s ankle is being assessed. The physio is yet to give any report to the national selectors. As of now, he is travelling with the team. However, it can’t be ascertained whether he will be available for the first Test match or not,” a senior BCCI official told PTI.
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Should Dhawan be ruled out of the first Test, KL Rahul will be his automatic replacement. KL Rahul is travelling with the team as the third opener and in case the team management needs services of anyone else as well, Parthiv Patel is also there in the side who can open the innings too.
If Dhawan is ruled out, it will come as a big blow, as he is in good form at the moment and team India would like to churn out maximum benefits on a tough tour. The success of the team India on tour will primarily depend on the performances of the openers, whether in bowling or batting and their performance will determine the way in which the game will go.
India team will play a total of three Tests, six ODIs and three T20Is against South Africa. Team India is to win a Test series against Proteas at their fortress. On the eve of the departure, skipper Virat Kohli was positive about winning there and said,
“As a team, we are very confident about where we stand. Of course, we haven’t played in overseas conditions apart from the Champions Trophy where we did really well. We haven’t played in conditions consistently outside of India. Sri Lanka was an away tour but it was similar to our conditions. We are talking about a whole different prospect which we understand and we are looking forward to it.”
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