India in Australia: Visitors Blame Shikhar Dhawan Injury on Practice Pitches

The Indian team management on Saturday expressed their deep displeasure over the net practice facilities provided by the Queensland Cricket Association including the poor quality of practice pitches, which led to the injury of opener Shikhar Dhawan and  Virat Kohli. (Scorecard | Blog)

This anger was sparked before the proceedings started in the fourth morning with Dhawan being unable to resume batting after being hit in the right wrist by a rising delivery.

Dhawan came out to bat later in the session, when the sixth wicket fell, with a heavily strapped right wrist and on pain-killing injections. The management has confirmed that he will be going for scans as and when possible.

Virat Kohli was hit on the left forearm, but he shook off that blow and came out to bat in place of Dhawan. The two batsmen were injured whilst facing an Indian bowler, whose name has been withheld.

As play began and the Indian batting crumbled, the team management expressed their discontent over the situation, releasing the following statement: "Indian team has been asking for fresh net-practice wickets several times for the last two days, which not been provided.

"Instead, the Indian team has been asked to practice on worn-out wickets which have uneven bounce. Because of that two of our batsmen got injured today morning (before play). One of the two batsmen, Shikar Dhawan has a right wrist injury because of that he was unable to bat in the morning. He is being examined by our physio and his fitness will be assessed in sometime," the release stated.

Another issue about the training facility that irked Indian team has been lack of a gym which meant that players couldn't work out and do the necessary excercises after their net session got over.

However legendary spinner Shane Warne, who is a part of Channel 9 commentary team and also giving his expert views to the Indian broadcaster said on air that he is surprised to hear such allegations by the Indian team management.

"It is a very surprising statement from the Indian team. I have always known that practice facilities at the Gabba has been very good," Warne told Star Sports.