Rohit Sharma is set to sit out for a long time and might only make a comeback for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 that starts on March 29. As per a report in The Times of India, Sharma had already asked for a rest for the South Africa ODIs and the calf issue has now ruled him out of home series.
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Rohit suffered the calf issue during the fifth T20I against New Zealand on Sunday. He continued to bat for a while before walking off the field. It is to be noted that he has suffered the same problem on a few occasions.
His absence from ODIs and Tests is a big blow for Men in Blue but India do not play a T20I till June. Hence, the team management can try out new players in the ODI series. Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw have been confirmed to open the innings in the ODIs against New Zealand. One of them will also keep his spot for South Africa ODIs due Rohit’s unavailability – Shikhar Dhawan is expected to be fit by then.
For Test matches, Rohit’s absence saw Shaw make his comeback into the squad after more than a year. Although he isn’t a confirmed selection in playing XI as Shubman Gill is above him in the pecking order.
Meanwhile, hosts New Zealand also suffered a big blow as their captain Kane Williamson has been ruled out of first two ODIs due to shoulder injury. The right-handed batsman had suffered the issue during third T20I against India and was forced to miss the last two T20Is.
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The three-match ODI series kicks off on February 5 while the Test starts on February 21.
Past occasion of Rohit missing out due to thigh issue
In 2016/17, Rohit sat out of for more than four months due to a thigh issue that he suffered in the final ODI against New Zealand. He played a couple of games for Mumbai before returning for IPL 2017. Rohit was also recalled for ICC Champions Trophy 2017 soon after.