JOIN USGambhir blow for Indians
“It is obviously a big setback because he has done really well in the past year and a half. But you can only take precautions against injury. Once you get injured, you cannot do much. We are hoping he will be fit for the Champions Trophy. But at the same time, this is a chance for the guys who are part of the team but would not have got a chance if Gautam was available. One of the good things has been that guys have always risen to the challenge. I hope it will be the same in this series too,” said Dhoni, adding that the Delhiite probably picked up the injury during the BCCI Corporate Trophy.
Though Virat Kohli has been named Gambhir’s replacement, Dhoni was categorical that fellow stumper Dinesh Kaarthick would open the innings along with Sachin Tendulkar. “One thing is sure -- Dinesh Kaarthick will be opening the batting. He has been doing well in the nets and we don’t have an option. He has done well as an opener during the Windies tour and in Tests also in the past.”
There was more good news in store for the Tamil Nadu player, who was assured of a longer run in the series. “It is unfair to give a player only one chance. Virat, personally I feel, is not an opener. The last time when we came here, Sehwag got injured and he had to open for us and he did well. I am not ready to push him as an opener again.”