Batsman gets the nod from the NCA, likely available for last two tests in Australia
Rohit Sharma will fly to Australia over the weekend after being cleared by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru following a final evaluation, which included tests of both his skills and fitness. ESPNcricinfo understands that Sharma will take a charter flight from Mumbai to Dubai, from where he will fly to Sydney on December 13 and will be available to be selected for the final two rounds of the four-game series.
Upon arrival in Sydney, Sharma has to undergo a strict mandatory 14-day quarantine in a facility separate from the biosafety bubble that the India testing squad is currently housed in. That, as ESPNcricinfo previously reported, will keep you from being in the mix for the first two tests (Dec. 17-21 in Adelaide and Dec. 26-30 in Melbourne). Sharma is expected to join the Indian team after Christmas in Melbourne, subject to travel restrictions between Sydney and Melbourne, and should then compete for the final two tests, in Sydney starting January 7 and in Brisbane starting. January 15.
It is understood that the NCA, led by former India captain Rahul Dravid, sent Sharma’s final assessment report to BCCI in the last two days.
There has been confusion over Sharma’s status, and availability for the Australian Trials, over the past few weeks, and even Captain Virat Kohli said he was kept in the dark on the matter. Sharma had initially been left out of the India tour due to the hamstring injury he sustained during the IPL, and the BCCI said he would be “monitored.” Sharma missed four games for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL after sustaining the injury, but returned, after being left out of the teams for the Australian tour, to lead his team to the title. He was later named to the team for the last two tests, subject to how his rehabilitation was in the NCA. Sharma had traveled to the NCA in mid-November for rehabilitation and left for Mumbai on Thursday.
He is fit to travel now, but it is unclear what the protocols are for Sharma’s integration into India’s biosecurity bubble in Australia. While there is doubt as to whether he will emerge ready for combat after a 14-day quarantine, it is understood that the eight-day gap between the second and third tests, which begins on January 7, encouraged management to have the senior hitter. in the mix.
More to follow …
Nagraj Gollapudi is news editor of ESPNcricinfo
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