Former India captain Kapil Dev batted for Ajinkya Rahane’s inclusion in the national squad as a replacement for Shikhar Dhawan for the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.  

Dhawan, the Indian opener has given a serious injury scare to the India Team Management and BCCI as he is certain to miss India’s next two World Cup matches against New Zealand and Pakistan with a suspected hairline fracture on his left thumb that he picked up during Australia match.

Reportedly, Rishabh Pant has been asked by the national team to fly to England as a cover for Dhawan. Although, there is no official request from the BCCI for the same to ICC for Dhawan.

Now, India could only name Pant as an official replacement after observing Dhawan’s progress, but the World Cup winning captain said Rahane is the best option even before Pant and Ambati Rayudu.

Kapil told ABP News, “If Rahane’s name is being considered then he should be the first choice. He should be picked ahead of Pant and Rayudu. Rahane has experience of playing in big tournaments like the World Cup. He can open the batting and also play in the middle order.”

Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar and Kevin Pietersen backed Rishabh Pant’s inclusion as a cover for Dhawan but Gautam Gambhir said Ambati Rayudu deserves to be called in.

Noteworthy, Rahane is playing County Cricket for Hampshire and had also struck a century on his debut.

(With ABP News Inputs)