Kolkata: Left-handed opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan has been recalled to the Test side for the series against Sri Lanka as a replacement for Murali Vijay who has been ruled out with a wrist injury.
Dhawan is a regular part of the Indian limited overs’ teams and has played 23 test matches till now. He averages 38.52 in the longest format in which he has four hundreds. He last represented India in the whites against New Zealand in the home series of 2016.
The BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary confirmed Vijay’s replacement. “The All-India Senior Selection Committee on Monday named Shikhar Dhawan as the replacement for injured Murali Vijay in the Test team, which is scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka for a three-match Test series,” said the release.
He further added, “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.”
Dhawan has been one of the most consistent performers for the Men in Blue in the limited overs’ format. He was one of India’s best batsmen in the Champions Trophy this year where he ended up as the highest run-getter in the tournament. His good form of late has fetched him another opportunity to showcase his talent in Test cricket.
The Virat Kohli led Indian side would play three tests, five ODI’s and a one-off T20 in their tour of Sri Lanka. The first test would get underway on the 26th of July in Galle followed by the second and the third tests in Colombo and Kandy respectively.
This is the first time in eight years that the Indians would take on the island nation for a full series. The ODI series would begin on August 20 and the solitary T20 would be played on September 6.