Dhoni has been sidelined for the first Test since the BCCI want him to be fully fit when the World Cup gets underway

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

It has been revealed that India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will miss the first Test against Australia in Brisbane after being diagnosed with a hairline crack at the base of his right thumb.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to rest Dhoni for the first Test since they want him to be fully fit when the 2015 World Cup begins in February.

“He could well have risked playing in Brisbane but eventually it was decided against playing him in the opening Test since nobody wants the injury to recur or aggravate with the World Cup set to start in a little over two months after the Brisbane Test,” a source said.

There was a lot of confusion initially about why Dhoni had been rested for the first Test against Australia as early reports pointed towards a right forearm injury. However, just two hours later, BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel clarified everything and confirmed that Dhoni had sustained a thumb injury.