Rishabh Pant has been included in the India squad after Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out of World Cup 2019 on Wednesday with a thumb injury. Dhawan suffered a hairline fracture during his match-winning 117 against Austraia at The Oval on June 9.
The Indian team management decided to put Shikhar Dhawan under observation but called in Rishabh Pant from India as stand-by. India's match against New Zealand was washed out while KL Rahul walked in to open with Rohit Sharma against Pakistan, scored 57 and added a record 136 for the 1st wicket.
India have had a great start to their World Cup campaign. They have won against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan while the game against New Zealand was washed out. India next face Afghanistan before they take on West Indies, hosts England, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Shikhar Dhawan is one of India's most prized assets. He has 6 hundreds in ICC tournaments: 3 in Champions Trophy and 3 in World Cup. Along with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohlli, Dhawan forms a formidable top-3 that is the envy of the rest of the cricketing world.
Shikhar Dhawan battled pain against Australia to score a hundred that helped India outclass the defending champions. He was seen training at the gym and was also spotted on the ground during India's nets session before the high-voltage clash against Pakistan at Old Trafford.
Rishabh Pant is a destructive batsman in the middle-order but was left out of India's original World Cup squad as the selectors decided to go with Dinesh Karthik as the second wicketkeeper.