Murali Karthik & Harbhajan Singh React On Vijay Shankar’s Injury Mystery

The mystery around Vijay Shankar’s injury:- Prior to the game against Afghanistan, Vijay Shankar was hit on his toe by a Jasprit Bumrah’s delivery during net practice which saw him in excruciating pain. However, the Indian all-rounder was deemed fit to play that match and even went on to play against West Indies.

Unfortunately, Shankar could not make a huge impression in those games, scoring 14 and 29 against West Indies and Afghanistan respectively.

However, India’s seventh game against England saw Vijay Shankar getting dropped as Rishabh Pant was handed his first World Cup match on Sunday. India lost that match by 31 runs as middle order vulnerability once again came into the spotlight.

With Shikhar Dhawan being ruled out, KL Rahul hasn’t performed to his potential so far, even as the likes of Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya failed to live up to the team’s expectations as a potential middle-order batsman.

The mystery around Vijay Shankar’s injury:- Astonishingly, Indian all-rounder, Vijay Shankar has now been ruled out of the tournament due to niggle in his toe, becoming the second Indian player getting axed from the World Cup.

Karnataka batsman Mayank Agarwal has been selected as the replacement for Vijay Shankar in the team. Mayank Agarwal made a phenomenal debut in the Test Series against Australia. The right-hander has an impressive record in the list A cricket, scoring 3964 runs 50 matches at an average of 50.2.

Vijay Shankar’s departure came at a time when questions have been raised over KL Rahul as an ideal batsman to open with Rohit Sharma. Hardik Pandya’s promotion to hasn’t gone too well for the team, with him not playing a big inning in the tournament thus far.

With India needing an attacking opening batsman alongside Rohit, a barrage of Tweets came out, questioning the credibility of the news regarding Vijay  Shankar’s injury.

Was Vijay Shankar’s injury too series to get ruled out?

India being a cricket loving nation, one should not turn a cricketer’s injury into a conspiracy. Vijay Shankar sustained a non-displaced fracture of the left big toe which required a minimum of three weeks to heal. And now, the injuries has ruled him out of the World Cup.

Vijay Shankar crying video expected to be released shortly this evening saying he is fit..

— SMM (@Shhy10) July 1, 2019

https://twitter.com/AnnyaDasGupta33/status/1145614017685098498

Vijay shankar's ruling out of the world cup seems to be deliberate.#VijayShankar

— Ashtbhuja (@ashtbhuja25) July 1, 2019

Though, fans came out with different opinions with some terming it as a deliberate decision, while a few looking at a funny side of it.

Vijay Shankar is out of WC now. What is happening!! #IndianCricketTeam

— sravan bagalkote (@serenesravan) July 1, 2019

Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Murali Karthik had also questioned the severity of Vijay Shankar’s injury after he was seen carrying drinks in the middle in the England match on Sunday.

Day before he needed TLC and batting well but a good delivery got him, yesterday he had a toe niggle not playing but running drinks and today he is Ruled out and already replaced 🤫🤫… Am I the only one confused here

— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) July 1, 2019

If Vijay Shankar has a toe niggle and that's the reason not to play why is he running drinks.. No one else there to do that job.. 🤫.. #CWC19

— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) June 30, 2019

Later,  Harbhajan Singh too retweeted Murali Karthik’s post, giving light to India’s decision over Agarwal’s inclusion in the side.

India’s unbeaten run in the tournament ended on Sunday, losing the match against England by 31 runs. India, still have to win one more game in their remaining two in order to book a ticket for the semis. India will play their next two matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on Tuesday and Saturday respectively. India is currently sitting at number two position in the points table with 11 points in seven matches.