Updated: November 24, 2020 2:46:52 pm
Ishant Sharma celebrating a wicket with Rohit Sharma. (Archive)
Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma are unlikely to board a flight to Australia in the next three to four days, The Indian Express has learned. Furthermore, it emerged that the management of the Indian team has yet to receive any communication from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) or BCCI regarding when the two will join the team. And if that’s the case, following the comment from the Indian team’s head coach, Ravi Shastri, they could both miss the entire test series.
Rohit (hamstring injury) and Ishant (rib cage injury) are currently in the NCA for rehab and on Sunday, Shastri expressed apprehension about the two players participating in the upcoming test series to unless they fly in the next “three or four days.” .
A 14-day quarantine period is mandatory upon arrival in Australia and the first test in Adelaide begins on December 17. But it’s a four-test series and both Rohit and Ishant could be available for the Boxing Day test onward, even if they don’t fly. in the coming days. It is not clear if Shastri has put a question mark on his recovery; if they can withstand the rigors of a series of tests. Or it could be that the two need to prove their fitness before the test series, during the second and final game of the India tour, against Australia A in Sydney (11-13 December).
“If you need to play in the Test series or any red ball cricket, you have to be on the flight in the next three or four days. If not, it will be difficult, ”Shastri told ABC Sport on Sunday.
In his interview, the head coach spoke about Rohit and Ishant being evaluated by the NCA medical team. “But things could get tough if (Rohit) is asked to wait too long, (because) then you’re talking about quarantine again, which could make it very difficult for even him to get there just in time for the test series.” Shastri said.
The national selectors had left Rohit out of the Australian tour after he suffered a hamstring injury playing for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Rohit, however, returned to play for his franchise after missing four games and was eventually included in the test team.
Rohit Sharma has scored 556 runs, including two centuries and a double century, in his last five events. (Archive)
While updating the equipment for the Australia tour, BCCI had said: “The BCCI medical team has been monitoring Rohit Sharma’s physical condition and has informed the All India Senior Selection Committee about it. In consultation with Mr Sharma, it has been decided to let him rest for the ODI and T20I in Australia to regain fitness and he has been included in the India test team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. “
Shastri reiterated that BCCI and team management knew early on that Rohit would miss the limited leg of the tour, which begins with an ODI in Sydney on November 27. series, they just wanted to see how long I needed the rest, because you can’t afford to be resting for a long time, ”said the head coach.
If Rohit misses the series of tests, according to Shastri’s apprehension, it would be a great blow to India, all the more so since skipper Virat Kohli returns home after the first test. The team has a backup starter in KL Rahul, but given Rohit’s quality, experience and solid footwork, the Australians could have a considerable advantage if the batter fails.
Rohit has scored 556 runs, including two centuries and a double century, in his last five rounds after he started opening innings. Two years ago, during India’s triumphant tour of Australia, he had scored 106 runs in two events, but had yet to cement his place on the testing side at the time.
Regarding Ishant, the BCCI notice had said: “The senior Indian fast bowler has been in rehab at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Once he makes a full recovery and is fit enough for the match, he will be added to the India test team. “
If “enough physical fitness for the match” are the keywords here, Ishant has to arrive in Australia early enough to be available for the second match of the India tour. He, along with Rohit, will not be available for the game between India A and Australia A on December 6-8, even if they fly in the next three or four days.
Once Ishant makes a full recovery and gains enough match fitness, he will be added to the India test team, the BCCI notice said. (ARCHIVE)
“It’s (Ishant’s) a similar case to Rohit,” Shastri said in the interview, adding: “You really don’t know how fast it will be available to fly. Like I said, if someone has to play the test series, they have to be on the flight in the next four or five days. Otherwise it is very difficult. “
Ishant suffered a “left internal oblique muscle tear” during the Delhi Capitals training session on October 7, ruling him out of the IPL.
The Indian team’s oldest bowler is on the cusp of the 100-round milestone (97 rounds), and had a pretty decent tour of Australia in 2018-19, coming back with 11 wickets at 23.81 in three rounds.
© The Indian Express (P) Ltd
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