Vijay Shankar's scan report comes in, no fracture

The Indian team management can heave a sigh of relief as all-rounder Vijay Shankar's scan reports have come in and he has no fracture. In fact, the batsman touted to bat at no.4 for the team in the World Cup was also seen taking some light throwdowns before the start of India's first warm-up game between India and New Zealand in London on Saturday.

Taking to Twitter, BCCI wrote: "Vijay Shankar was hit on his right forearm during practice on Friday. He underwent scans and no fracture has been detected. BCCI Medical Team is aiding him in his recovery."

Shankar had been hit on the forearm by a delivery from Khaleel Ahmed as he attempted a pull during India's net session on Friday. The reports come as a welcome sign for the team as the top-order batsmen struggled in overcast conditions against the Kiwi pacers on Saturday.

Doing the pitch report, former South Africa skipper Shaun Pollock had said: "It's cloudy and overcast, plenty of grass on the wicket." And India's score read 24/3 in the sixth over after Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first.

In fact, after Shikhar Dhawan (2) and Rohit Sharma (2) were both dismissed by Trent Boult with beauties, the much spoken about No.4 slot saw K.L. Rahul walk in to join skipper Kohli. With the score on 10/2 in the fourth over and the world waiting to see Rahul weave his magic, the batsman ended up playing on one from Boult in the sixth over of the innings.

While the jolt before the main tournament gets underway is better than facing the heat during the group games, the manner in which the trio of Rohit, Dhawan and Rahul will leave a lot to ponder about for coach Ravi Shastri.

Rohit was dismissed in typical fashion as the ball from Boult pitched in line and came back in to trap the opener right in front of the wicket. For Dhawan, the ball cut back in, the lack of footwork once again on display and the edge landing safely in the hands of the keeper. As for Rahul, the Kiwi pace spearhead decided that he had pitched enough deliveries in the driving zone and pitched one short to catch Rahul unawares.

Kohli too flattered to deceive with a 24-ball 18 as one from Colin de Grandhomme came in after pitching and sneaked in through the gap in bat and pad to give the Indian scorecard a sorry figure of 39/4 in the 11th over.

--IANS

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