AUS vs IND Tests: Rohit Sharma’s participation unlikely to be affected by Sydney Covid cluster

The recent Covid-19 cluster in Sydney which has affected inter-state travel is not expected to have an impact on Rohit Sharma’s participation in Test series. Sharma has been quarantining in Sydney after landing in Australia on December 16, with another week to go. Victorian state officials have deemed that anyone arriving to Melbourne from a 14-day quarantine in Sydney does not have to do the same again, which means the Indian batsman can join his teammates as early as December 30.

BCCI had earlier requested Cricket Australia to allow Rohit Sharma to quarantine in Melbourne so that he could join his teammates. However, they were informed that Rohit would be put in a hotel room, like any overseas traveler.

In Sydney, the Victorian government have organized a multi-room apartment for Rohit Sharma which also gives him ample space to practice indoors. Cricket Australia believes that the conditions are much more humane for a player who has travelled from the other side of the globe to participate in the much-awaited series.

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The final call on where the third Test match is yet to be taken. The third Test is scheduled to start from January 7. Cricket Australia have plenty of alternatives in mind to hold the penultimate Test. They might keep both the teams in Melbourne for another Test, or go back to Adelaide, this time for a red-ball test. However, CA would prefer to keep the Test match in Sydney.

The Boxing Day Test match is scheduled to start from December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Ajinkya Rahane will lead the Indian side in the absence of Virat Kohli who has flown back to India after being granted a paternity leave by the BCCI.