Last week, veteran opener Rohit Sharma was not named in any of India’s three squads for the upcoming Australia tour due to a recurring hamstring injury.
When BCCI announced the Indian squad, a media release stated that the medical team will monitor the progress made by Rohit and Ishant Sharma.
WATCH - Ravi Shastri speaks on Rohit Sharma's absence from the Indian squad
However, Rohit hit the nets minutes after the team was announced and Mumbai Indians (MI) shared a video of his batting session on social media platforms.
The video came as a surprise for the fans as the MI skipper was seen batting in the nets without much discomfort.
Meanwhile, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday (November 3) cleared the air on Rohit’s chances of making it to the Indian squad for the tour Down Under.
“With Rohit, we want him fit for Australia. At some stage if he is fit, I am sure the selectors will rethink his position,” Ganguly told Hindustan Times.
Rohit hasn’t featured in Mumbai’s last four games in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). In his absence, Kieron Pollard is leading the defending champions, who have finished the league as table-toppers.
Asked if Rohit shouldn’t play the remaining IPL games so that his injury doesn’t aggravate, Ganguly responded by saying: “We haven’t seen him playing.”
The BCCI boss further clarified that if Rohit and Ishant, who has sustained rib injury, recover in time for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy then they will be added to the Indian side.
“We are monitoring Ishant and Rohit. Ishant is not completely out. He will become a part of the Test series,” he remarked.
Ganguly also confirmed that the duo can depart for Australia later than the rest of the Indian squad, despite the bio-bubble and quarantine protocols.
“They can be sent later. There are flights to Australia,” he said.
Speaking about India’s chances in the Australia tour, Ganguly said: “Australia in Australia is always tough. They will be a lot stronger with (Steve) Smith and (David) Warner back. Players like (Marnus) Labuschagne have become better. It will be a good test for India, but they are capable of winning. It will be a good series.”
