ICC CWC'19: Rayudu vs Pant; Cricket experts debate over who should replace Dhawan
While Rishabh Pant was called in as a replacement, there still lies no sureity over Dhawan's current recovery status.
Mumbai: Ahead of the most awaited India-New Zealand clash, news of Shikhar Dhawan’s thumb injury shook the Indian Team and fans alike.
While Rishabh Pant was called in as a replacement, there still lies no surety over Dhawan’s current recovery status and if the player will be fully fit and included for the squad before the battle of the unbeaten teams on Thursday.
While experts like Sunil Gavaskar and Kevin Pieterson backed Rishabh Pant’s inclusion, former player Gautam Gambhir suggested Ambati Rayudu would be a better replacement for Dhawan who injured his thumb during India’s win over Australia at the Oval on June 9.
“He (Pant) has been in cracking hot form in the IPL. He would probably want to show that he deserved to be in the team in the first place," said Gavaskar to 'India Today'.
He added that should the doctors say that Dhawan can be fit in 18 days, then the team’s best bet would be to stick with him, even if it means the batsman misses the England Game on June 30.
Gambhir meanwhile spoke to Star Sports saying that “If Ambati Rayudu doesn't make it as Shikhar's replacement than his career is over. He averages 45 in ODIs and not being part of the World Cup with that average is very disappointing.”
Gambhir went on to add that if Rayudu doesn’t make it to England, he might as well pack his bags and focus on the IPL since his international career “is over”.