In what can be called another blow to an already injury stricken side, Vijay Shankar has now been ruled out of the World Cup with a toe injury, reports New Indian Express.
Earlier what seemed to be a niggle off a Jasprit Bumrah yorker at the nets, has now taken a turn for the worst, ruling out the all-rounder for the entire tournament.
Less than four-months-old in the international circuit, Shankar was picked up in team India’s 15-member squad for the 2019 World Cup, opening gates for inevitable debates about the Tamil Nadu all-rounder’s capabilities.
He was looked as India’s probable no. 4 for the future, but him being ruled out passes on the opportunity to the others who’ve been kept on stand-by.
Shankar had his moments before being sidelined, becoming only the third bowler in history to take a wicket off his first ball in the World Cup.
He dismissed Pakistan’s Imad-ul-Haq during the fifth over in the India-Pak clash on June 16.
Mayank Agarwal may be the back up player who’ll be required to fill in for Shankar for the remainder of the World Cup.
Agarwal, a right-handed opening batsman, made his international debut in December 2018, against Australia.
The other choices include Ambati Rayudu, Axar Patel, Navdeep Saini and Ishant Sharma. Rishabh Pant, who was also on stand by, was already asked to reach England to replace the injured Shikhar Dhawan.