NEW DELHI: As the availability of Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma for the first test in Australia becomes uncertain every day, the management of the Indian team is contemplating retaining a player from the white ball squads currently in Australia.
TOI has learned that Shreyas Iyer He may be asked to stay behind as a backup hitter for the tryout series.
The selectors, when announcing the team, did not specifically mention a replacement for virat Kohli, who will return home on paternity leave after the first test in Adelaide that begins Dec. 17. Rohit was assumed to be an automatic replacement for Kohli. But with growing uncertainty about Rohit’s recovery from a hamstring injury, it could be the case that he has another player as a backup.
“There will be no new players coming in after the arrival of Rohit and Ishant. The selectors chose a jumbo team for this reason. If the need arises, Shreyas could be asked to stay behind, ”said a BCCI source.
“As of now, the white ball players are supposed to fly back before the Test series, but there is a change in plans,” added the source.
The test team currently has eight hitters which includes Kohli. If Rohit doesn’t recover in time or a batter is injured in the middle of the road, the team’s leadership will have little choice. The fast bowling department, on the other hand, has five pacemakers. It will be interesting to see if the team management chooses to retain a pacemaker from the White Ball Squad for Trials as a cover for Ishant.
.
