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XtraTime Web Desk: Big blow for Indian cricket team as their star opener Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the World Cup due to thumb fracture. The team management had a plan to keep the opener fit for the in a couple of weeks time, but now they are quite clear that ‘Gabbar’ need more time to get fully fit.  Rishabh Pant, who was added as a cover for the southpaw and is currently in England with the team has been named as the official replacement in the squad. 

Dhawan picked up the injury on his left thumb and was initially ruled out of three games - against Pakistan (June 16), Afghanistan (June 22) and the West Indies (June 27).

It is learnt that the Delhi opener, who played through pain to score a hundred against Australia, 'has no chance' of recovering in time for the June 30 World Cup game against England.

"Shikhar Dhawan has been diagnosed with a fracture of the first metacarpal on his left hand following a ball impact injury during the team’s first match versus Australia at the Oval on 5th June 2019. Following several specialist opinions, he will remain in a cast until the middle of July and therefore will not be available for the remainder of #CWC19," the BCCI tweeted on Wednesday (June 19).