Left-handed batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who was in phenominal form in the just concluded ICC Champions Tropy in England and the West Indies series, will replace unfit Murali Vijay for the upcoming Sri Lankan tour starting from July 26, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Senior Selection Committee members announced on July 17. Murali Vijay, who had suffered a wrist injury during Australia’s tour of India, missed the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 season.
“Vijay, who had suffered a wrist injury during Australia’s tour of India, has complained of pain in his right wrist, while playing a preparatory match. The BCCI medical team has therefore advised that Vijay should continue his rehabilitation program,” a BCCI statement read.
Shikhar Dhawan has so far played 23 Tests and scored 1464 runs at an average of 38.52. He has four hundreds to his credit. He last played a Test match for India in 2016 against New Zealand.
UPDATE: @SDhawan25 to replace injured Murali Vijay for India’s tour of Sri Lanka, 2017 pic.twitter.com/OD07odsd3q
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 17, 2017
Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on July 9 announced the 16-member squad for India’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Star batsman Rohit Sharma and pacer Mohammad Shami were re-called for the Sri Lanka tour scheduled to be held from July 26 to September 6.
The Virat Kohli-led side is set to play three Test matches, five One-Day Internationals (ODI) and a one-off Twenty20 International during the series. All the three Test matches will be played in Galle, Colombo and Kandy.
Squad:
Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund.
