Rohit Sharma declared clinically fit but participation depends on ‘fitness status’
Rohit Sharma has been declared clinically fit by the medical team at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru after his three week rehabilitation program for a hamstring injury he picked up at the Indian Premier League.
BCCI issued a statement clarifying that Rohit Sharma had been assessed for batting, fielding and running between the wickets and the NCA medical staff found the tests as satisfactory.
He is expected to fly out to Sydney on Sunday from Mumbai. He will begin his 14-day mandatory quarantine period outside India’s bio-secure bubble. However, he will have to continue working on his fitness and will have to work on his endurance during his quarantine. His participation in the remaining two test matches will be based on fitness status.
If all goes well, India could have the services of Rohit Sharma for the last two test matches. Emerging from the mandatory quarantine, it will not be easy for Rohit Sharma to find his groove but a eight day break between the second and third test match will do him some favour.
Rohit Sharma and the selection blues
The statement from BCCI finally ends all the rumours floating in the media regarding Sharma’s absence. Virat Kohli himself stated that it was frustrating to not know what the real situation was. During the Indian Premier League, the Indian opener had picked up a hamstring injury which kept him out a few league games in the end.
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However, he played a part in the final two matches, including a match winning performance against Delhi Capitals in the finals, which sealed Mumbai Indians a fifth IPL title. He was not selected for the limited over series against Australia owing to a hamstring injury, but was added as an option for the test series, provided he passes the fitness test.
Most of the confusion took place after Rohit Sharma played the last two IPL matches in spite of not being selected in the Indian squad owing to an injury. The BCCI had stated on November 9 that they wanted to rest Rohit Sharma for the limited overs format so that he could have a good rehabilitation program in India.
India also missed the services of Sharma against New Zealand earlier this year, when they lost the series 2-0 to the hosts. In the absence of Virat Kohli for the last three tests, India would be hoping that Rohit Sharma would play a part in the last two tests.