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Pant to join Indian squad as cover for Dhawan

June 13, 2019 00:00:00


NOTTINGHAM, United Kingdom, June 12 (AFP): Rishabh Pant has been called up as cover for the injured Shikhar Dhawan in India's World Cup squad, team chiefs confirmed on Wednesday.

Dhawan injured his hand during the team's 36-run victory against Australia on Sunday and remains a doubt for the rest of the 50-over tournament.

The left-handed opener has been put under medical observation and Pant will join the team in England and Wales and stay on as standby.

"We will be observing Dhawan and around the 10th or 12th day we will know where he stands," India's assistant coach Sanjay Bangar told reporters ahead of Thursday's match against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.

"We do not want to rule out a precious player like Shikhar." Bangar added: "If and when a replacement is required, it's always good to have a replacement coming in and practising with the team as a standby".

The team's media manager said Pant, whose omission from the 15-man World Cup squad was a topic of debate, would join the side in Manchester ahead of the match against arch-rivals Pakistan, which takes place on Sunday.


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