AUSTRALIA TOUR OF INDIA 2020-21
Ishant’s IPL with the Delhi Capitals came to an early end after suffering a torn abdominal muscle. © Getty
Team India coach Ravi Shastri believes that the injured duo of Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma should be on the flight to Australia as soon as possible if they are to have any hope of appearing in the next four-round series, starting with the Test of pink ball in Adelaide on December 17. Rohit and Ishant have pioneered all recent Indian successes in the game’s red ball format and are currently in rehab for their respective injuries at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.
Rohit, India’s first-choice test starter, is currently working on his hamstring injury, while Ishant’s IPL with the Delhi Capitals came to an early end after suffering an abdominal muscle strain. Both players were not named to the starting squad (for the Australia tour) and are understood to be under the observation of the BCCI medical panel.
“He (Rohit) is going through some testing at the NCA,” Shastri said, in a chat with Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Sunday (November 22). “They will decide when he could return, but things could get complicated if we have to wait too long (speaking of the 14-day quarantine in Australia). It could be difficult for him to come just before the test series. Similar is the case with Ishant, which is also in the NCA. ”
As the team’s white ball members take on Australia in the second Twenty20 international, test specialists and fringe members begin their test series preparations with a three-day game against Australia ‘A’ at Drummoyne Oval , Sydney, on December 6. They are then scheduled to play a pink ball warm-up match against the same opposition starting December 11 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The second warm-up game is expected to feature a full India line-up and the players who are part of this game could well be playing in the first test, which will be played under similar conditions. If Rohit and Ishant are to appear in the tourists’ lineup for the first Test, it is imperative that they come out of quarantine in time for the second warm-up game.
“He (Rohit) was never going to play the white ball stage of the tour, we needed to know how long he needed to rest, but you can’t afford a long rest period. If he’s going to play red ball cricket in preparation for tryouts (like with Ishant), they should be on the flight within the next 4-5 days. If one can’t, it will be difficult (speaking of selection for the test), “Shastri added more.
Rohit has emphasized that he has recovered from his injury and is working to strengthen his hamstring. © BCCI
On preparations for the grueling series
The Indian manager admitted that preparations for such an important tour were going to be cause for concern, but added that the experience of the play unit could help overcome the problem. “A lot of our guys have played in the Indian Premier League (IPL), that would have boosted them for the last month and a half, as far as the physical form of the match goes, they are practically there. This is a different format (speaking of the next ODIs), but the guys are experienced, they’ve traveled the world and they should be fine by the start of the series, “Shastri said.
About Virat Kohli’s paternity leave
While he said it was a delicate matter, Shastri backed the Indian captain’s decision to fly home for the birth of his first child. In his absence, Shahstri replied, it could be an opportunity for some of the team’s fringe members to stand out.
“He’s the driving force for the test team (speaking of Kohli), there’s no question about that. They would obviously miss him, but it becomes an opportunity for the younger members to seize the opportunity,” Shastri said.
Backing up the rhythm drums
Saying that the runs on the board in the early innings would be crucial, Shastri added that if it could be scored, the India team had the bowlers who can cause trouble for the best hitters in any format of the game. “We will be competitive (bowlers), they have the quality to test any batsman in world cricket. But it is important that (rhythm) bowlers stay in shape for the duration of the tour,” he admitted.
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