Rohit Sharma Is Expected To Be Ready For West Indies Limited-Overs Series
Jan 18, 2022 at 4:13 PM
Rohit Sharma, India’s white-ball captain is recovering well from his left hamstring injury and has a bright chance of making a comeback for the six-match home limited-overs series against the West Indies next month.
Rohit Sharma, who was also the designated Test vice-captain for the tour of South Africa, sustained a left hamstring strain during a net session just prior to the team’s departure for the tour and had to pull out.
Rohit Sharma Is Expected To Be Ready For West Indies 3 ODI And 3 T20I Series After Missing Entire Proteas Tour For Hamstring Injury
“Rohit’s rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) is going pretty well. He is expected to be okay for the West Indies series. It’s still close to three weeks from now before the first ODI is played in Ahmedabad on February 6,” a BCCI source privy to developments said on conditions of anonymity.
The series against the West Indies comprises three ODIs and as many T20 internationals. The one-dayers will be played from February 6 to 12, followed by the T20Is from February 15 to 20.
The hamstring has been a recurrent problem for Rohit Sharma which also forced him to miss the first two Test matches as well as the white-ball leg of the tour of Australia in 2020-21. He did make a comeback for the final two Tests after serving a two-week hard quarantine in Sydney for the last two Test matches.
Currently, as per BCCI’s policy, each and every player has to mandatorily appear for fitness tests at the NCA before being awarded ‘fit to play’ certificates. The selection committee is informed about their availability only after this exercise. With Virat Kohli now having relinquished captaincy even from the Test format, there is a greater need for Rohit Sharma to remain injury-free in the current set-up.
Rohit Sharma Is In Excellent Form And Is Tipped To Be All-Time Skipper Despite Fitness Concerns And More Age
It has been an open secret in recent years that apart from being one of the best performers across formats, Rohit Sharma has been a few notches above his peers in terms of acceptance of one and all in this team. Having learned the ropes of captaincy handling Mumbai Indians in the IPL, Rohit Sharma’s man-management is seen closer to MS Dhoni’s style.
While KL Rahul, because of his age, is being considered a long-term all-format leader, something which might also have the backing of head coach Rahul Dravid, what will go in Rohit Sharma’s favour, despite the fitness and age concern, is his excellent form across formats.
“Rohit Sharma should be the bridge before BCCI is confident about the next young India captain that they want the team to lead for at least five years. This ICC World Test Championship cycle should be about giving it to an experienced hand rather than someone, whose leadership credentials aren’t proven enough,” a senior BCCI official said.
Rohit Sharma has been advised by experts at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to reduce weight. The reason is his slimmer version will put less pressure on his troublesome hamstring & knee. The injured knee & hamstring has led him to miss a few matches of IPL 2021, India Tour of Australia & now the ongoing India tour of South Africa.
Rohit Sharma is currently working very hard at the NCA. He is currently training with his India teammates Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson among other cricketers.