Indian wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni could be a doubtful starter for the first ODI against Australia, after suffering an injury on his forearm during practice a day before the match in Hyderabad.
Dhoni was reportedly hit on his right forearm while taking throwdowns from the team’s support staff member Raghavendra at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium.
According to PTI, the pain was visible on Dhoni’s face, and he was forced out of the practice session, not taking any further part.
If Dhoni is unable to regain his fitness prior to the first ODI in Hyderabad, India has the option of handing the keeping gloves to Rishabh Pant. The other backup option for India is KL Rahul, although he hasn’t kept wickets in one-day cricket as a specialist.
India would be entering the 5-match ODI series after suffering a 2-0 defeat in the T20I series against Australia, their first home series loss in any format under Virat Kohli’s captaincy.