Injured Dhawan likely to miss Australia A games

Shikhar Dhawan, the Delhi batsman, has injured his right thumb and is likely to be out of action for at least two weeks which could rule him out of both the three-day games against Australia A.

"It is very unfortunate. I was facing the bowling machine when one just kicked up and hit me smack on the hand," Dhawan told the Hindustan Times after scans revealed a hairline fracture. The selectors are yet to name a replacement. "We have just learnt about Dhawan's injury and will get together and pick a replacement in the coming days, if we feel the need for one," Bhupinder Singh Snr, a national selector, said.

Dhawan was in impressive form in recent months, finishing the second highest run-getter in the four-nation Emerging Players Tournament in Brisbane recently. That and his consistent showings in the Indian Premier League, which followed a solid Ranji season, put him in the national reckoning.

The Australia A team led by Simon Katich was expected to arrive in Bangalore on Friday, with the first three-day match starting on September 3.