All-rounder Vijay Shankar was on Monday ruled out of the ongoing World Cup due to a toe injury and has been replaced in the Indian squad by Mayank Agarwal.
The Indian team management confirmed that Shankar had sustained a toe fracture and would not be able to take further part in the competition.
“Mr Vijay Shankar was struck on the left big toe whilst batting in the nets on June 19th in Southampton,” said a statement by the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Monday. “He was able to play in an unrestricted manner in the following two matches against Afghanistan and West Indies.
“Following the match on June 27, the condition of his toe worsened and a CT scan showed he sustained a non-displaced fracture of the left big toe. The condition will require a minimum of three weeks to heal. The injury rules him out of the ongoing World Cup.
“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Mr Mayank Agarwal as Vijay Shankar’s replacement following a request from the Indian team management for a suitable top-order batsman. An official request has been made to the ICC to consider the change in India’s squad.”
Agarwal was soon approved as Shankar’s replacement by the ICC’s tournament technical committee, and the player will arrive in Birmingham and travel to Leeds subsequently. The Karnataka opener, 28, who made his Test debut against Australia last year, has not yet played in the ODI format.
Rohit Sharma had mentioned Shankar’s injury but it was presumed to be an old hit that he took at Southampton.
“There is no uncertainty with regard to the number four position, Vijay Shankar was supposed to play but before the game he got hit on the toe by Jasprit (Bumrah) and he wasn’t fit. Every team will have these one or two changes happening every now and then.”
Shankar is the second Indian player, after Shikhar Dhawan, to be ruled out of this World Cup due to injury. Bhuvneshwar Kumar had been put on the sidelines, too, but the pacer has recovered now.
India lost their previous match to England by 31 runs at Edgbaston on Sunday and will take on Bangladesh at the same venue on Tuesday.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!