Monday 17 August 2015 16:12, UK
India opener Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the rest of the Sri Lanka series with a hairline fracture on his right hand.
The 29-year-old suffered the injury during the first Test in Galle, which India lost by 63 runs on Saturday to concede the lead in the three-match series.
Dhawan, who hit his fourth Test century in the first innings at Galle and has scored 1,158 runs in 15 Tests at an average of 44.53, will miss the second Test in Colombo, which starts on Thursday, and the final match at the Sinhalese Sports Club in the Sri Lankan capital from August 28.
"He underwent tests that confirmed a hairline fracture in his hand," a statement from the team management said. "He would require four to six weeks to recover from the injury."
Team director Ravi Shastri said it was "unfortunate" to lose the in-form left-hander for the key Tests ahead.
"Shikhar showed a lot of courage at Galle," Shastri said. "That's what I look for in a player. It is unfortunate to lose him."
India have not named a replacement but his absence leaves the tourists in a hole given the lean form of their other opener Lokesh Rahul, who made just seven and five in the opening Test.
Murali Vijay, who missed the Galle Test with a hamstring injury, is expected to recover in time for the second match.
