After finishing a phenomenal home series in 2017, the Indian cricket team has left for the tour of South Africa. With the first Test being just a week away, India’s star opener has sustained an injury to his left ankle. Though he is travelling to South Africa, his availability for the first match in Cape Town will remain doubtful until team’s physio Patrick Farhat gives the final report.
As learned from several media reports, Shikhar Dhawan was spotted hobbling before leaving for South Africa while his left ankle was heavily strapped. The reports also said that he was taken for an MRI scan and the reports are awaited.
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As reported by PTI, a senior official from the BCCI confirmed the information and said,
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.
The Indian cricket team left for the tour early morning on December 28. In case Shikhar Dhawan gets ruled out of this match due to his sore ankle, in that case, KL Rahul would be given the responsibility to open the inning alongside Murali Vijay.
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The PTI reports also state that according to BCCI’s selection criteria, there are possibilities that Tamil Nadu batsman Abhinav Mukund might also get a call-up as an extra opener for the team. However, the decision will be taken after the final medical reports.
This Test series comprises of 3 matches with first India vs South Africa Test match scheduled to commence on January 5 in Cape Town. Speedster Jasprit Bumrah will be making his Test debut with this series. On the other hand, veterans AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn are back in the Proteas team.
