Updated: November 6, 2020 6:22:42 pm
Rohit Sharma, IM captain, and Quinton de Kock open against SRH on November 3 (Source: Sportzpics)
Confusion continues over Rohit Sharma’s availability for the Australia India tour that will begin later this month. Sharma had suffered an injury while leading the Mumbai Indians in the IPL and was not chosen when the Indian team was announced. But then he played a game of IPL. So how is the fitness of centrally recruited players monitored during the IPL?
What exactly is Rohit’s injury?
On October 26, when the national selectors announced the Indian squads for the Australia series, Rohit was the notable omission. The official statement only said: “The BCCI medical team will continue to monitor the progress of Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma.”
According to BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, Rohit suffered a torn hamstring, PTI reported. Ganguly also warned Rohit not to rush her return.
The IM captain suffered the injury during his match against Kings XI Punjab on 18 October. He missed the next four games, with Kieron Pollard leading the team. In the last IM group league game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday, Rohit again led the team. He also played in the first qualifying match against Delhi Capitals on Thursday.
When asked in Tuesday’s giveaway, “Is everything in shape and okay with you?” He replied, “Yeah, it looks like this.” Rohit underwent a physical fitness test before the game against SRH.
So why is there confusion?
Because there is still no official news from BCCI on the subject. India’s first game in Australia will be on November 27. Three ODIs will be followed by three T20 International and four Tests.
While the national selection committee did not consider Rohit fit enough to be part of the teams, he is playing games for his franchise. A senior BCCI official told The Indian Express: “If Rohit is fit, join the team. There must be fitness issues so the selectors didn’t pick him. “
The BCCI head of national teams are traditionally allowed to communicate with the media, but the head of national teams, Sunil Joshi, is very secretive about this. MI also hasn’t said a word other than posting Rohit practice clips and images.
Ganguly told PTI: “Rohit himself knows he has a long career ahead of him and it is not just this IPL or the next series for him. I’m sure he’s mature enough to do what’s best for him. “
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Have any other BCCI players suffered injuries during the IPL?
Ishant Sharma was ruled out of the IPL with a torn abdominal muscle. Teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar was ruled out with a thigh injury.
Their franchises, Delhi Capitals and SRH respectively, released press releases confirming the injuries. Both Sharma and Kumar are now doing their rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
How is the fitness of BCCI-contracted cricketers monitored during the IPL?
According to the executive director of a franchise, it is monitored by the physios of the respective franchises. If there is an injury, it is reported to the physio of the Indian / BCCI team. From that moment on, the franchise physiotherapist supervises the physical condition of the player in coordination with the BCCI physiotherapist.
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Does the BCCI physiotherapist supervise the management of the physical condition of the contracted players in case of injuries?
No. The CEO explained that the franchise physical therapist reports to the BCCI physical therapist, and the BCCI physical therapist follows up with advice to decide the future course of action.
If a player has a history of fitness problems, does he stay in contact with the BCCI physio during the IPL?
According to the CEO, each IPL team conducts its own physical fitness tests during preseason camp. If a player has an alarming fitness record, keep track of his previous injuries. If necessary, the franchise physiotherapist contacts the BCCI physiotherapist.
A contracted player may personally contact the BCCI physio, although it requires approval from the team’s management and physio because, during the IPL, the players are the property of their respective franchises.
Has there been a previous occasion when a signed player was injured during the IPL and missed an assignment from India?
In 2011, the then captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Gautam Gambhir, had aggravated a shoulder injury he sustained during the World Cup final against Sri Lanka.
After Gambhir played the IPL Eliminator against MI, KKR coach Andrew Leipus had written to BCCI, explaining the nature of the injury. Leipus had also advised Gambhir to take a four to six week break.
India was going to tour the West Indies after the IPL and, in the absence of MS Dhoni (he had chosen not to participate), Gambhir had been appointed captain for the limited leg of the tour. But with the injury that forced him to miss the series, Suresh Raina led India in a single T20I and five ODIs.
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