Dhawan out of Lanka series, Binny called for second test

Dhawan played a vital role in the team.

Shikhar Dhwana has been ruled out of the remainder of Sri Lanka- India series due to a hairline hand fracture. The 29-year olf left-hander was injured during the first test at Galle. He will need four to six weeks for rehabilitation, reports confirmed.

Dhawan who scored a brilliant 134 in the first innings, did not take field for the Sri Lankan innings and was seen having problems while batting in the second innings. No official replacement has been announced but Stuart Binny will join the squad to ensure India have a 15-man squad.

"It is unfortunate. Shikhar has been brilliant for us," Team India Director Ravi Shastri told a press conference. "He played with a crack (in his right arm) and scored a hundred. He showed a lot of courage and that's what I look for in a player."

An injury to the in-form Dhawan worsens India's batting woes, especially admist of their now regular batting failures and the team management's insistence on playing with just the six batsmen. However, Dhawan's injury gives 23-year old KL Rahul another opportunity to underscore his potential following two forgettable outings in Galle.
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Meanwhile, Murali Vijay, who sat out of the first Test due to a hamstring injury, is said to be responding well to the treatment but the team management will take a final call on his inclusion for the second Test on the eve of the match. The second Test of the Cricbuzz Cup will be played from August 20 at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo.

Sad to leave my teammates in the middle of the series, but still did my best even with a broken hand. Will bounce back stronger! Rab Rakha

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) August 17, 2015