What has come as a setback for India ahead of the first test, the ace opener Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out. Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the first test owning to an ankle injury and this comes as a big blow to team India.
Now Lokesh Rahul and Murali Vijay will have the responsibility to give India great starts in the challenging test series against the Proteas. Shikhar Dhawan being ruled out has disrupted the left hand and right hand combination that Dhawan and Vijay would have given to the side.
The first test against South Africa begins on 5th January and team India has already reached South Africa. After a successful 2017 team India has befitting challenges lined up for the year 2018 and the South African challenge is the first one.
Shikhar Dhawan now has time till 10th January to recover for the second test to keep up his chances of playing in the subsequent test matches with South Africa. Shikhar Dhawan has had a dream run of form in the year 2017. He was the highest run getter in the 2017 Champions Trophy. India’s long 50-day tour of South Africa will end on February 24.
Then India will play the T20 triangular series which will be played between India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Even if Shikhar Dhawan misses out on the test series against South Africa, India would surely need him in the ODI series and T20 series against South Africa.
In the meantime India’s under 19 team has also advanced for New Zealand to play the under 19 World Cup which will be held in New Zealand. The Great Wall of Indian cricket, Rahul Dravid is the coach of the under 19 team.
