Nottingham, June 12 -- India batting coach Sanjay Bangar challenged KL Rahul to make a crucial contribution to India's Cricket World Cup campaign as they aim to compensate for the absence of Shikhar Dhawan.

Dhawan, who shares the most successful-ever ODI batting partnership with Rohit Sharma, has suffered a fracture to his left thumb and is set to miss a sizeable section of the group stage.

While Dhawan will be monitored in the team camp for ten or 12 days, Rahul will open the batting for the foreseeable future and Bangar tasked the 27-year-old with adapting quickly.

"As far as the batting order goes, KL moves up at the top of the order," said Bangar.

"You know you need to negotiate two new balls, but you also understand that there ar...