Rohit Sharma has been added to India’s Test squad for the upcoming four-match series against Australia, the BCCI confirmed on Monday.
The limited-overs opening batsman was not named in any of the three squads in any format for the tour when the BCCI announced the teams last month for Australian tour consisting of three ODIs, as many T20Is and four Tests.
Rohit Sharma’s Exclusion Was Due To Hamstring Injury
The reason behind his exclusion was the hamstring injury he had sustained on October 18 while playing against Kings XI Punjab which saw him not playing next 4 games.
With the tour more than a month away from beginning in November at the time of the squad announcement, the selectors’ decision made many believe that Rohit Sharma’s injury was serious.
However, Rohit Sharma sprung a big surprise by returning to the nets just minutes after the announcement of the squad before getting back to action in the ongoing IPL 2020 in last league match against SRH and Qualifier 1 against Delhi. He has already played two games without any trouble since returning from the injury and will lead Mumbai Indians in the final too against Delhi Capitals on Tuesday.
Rohit Sharma Was Included In India’s Test Squad After Consultation With Him
With Rohit Sharma showing no signs of trouble in his hamstring in those two matches since his return, the BCCI has added him to the Test squad. However, the board has decided against putting too much pressure on him and has thus rested him for the limited-overs ODIs and T20Is in Australia as a precautionary measure.
“The BCCI Medical Team has been monitoring Rohit Sharma’s fitness and has briefed All-India Senior Selection Committee on the same. In consultation with Mr Sharma, it has been decided to rest him for the ODIs and T20Is in Australia to regain full fitness and he has been included in India’s Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy,” the BCCI stated on Monday.
Having someone of Rohit Sharma’s calibre in the squad would be a big boost for Team India for the challenging tour. The star batsman had impressed in Tests last year after being promoted as an opener. He was asked to open the innings during the home series against South Africa as well as Bangladesh.
In his first Test as an opener, he scored a century in both the innings before scoring a double century against the Proteas.
Unfortunately, he missed the two games in New Zealand earlier this year due to a calf injury and will be looking to make his mark in Australia. Skipper Virat Kohli will play only the first test and will fly back to India for paternity leave.