Veteran opener Rohit Sharma was left out of India’s all three squads for the upcoming Australia tour last week on fitness grounds.

See Also: Ganguly clears air on Rohit’s chances of making it to the Indian squad for Australia tour

However, there wasn’t any clarity provided by the BCCI and what complicated the matter further was MI sharing videos of Rohit’s net session on social media minutes after the team announcement.

While the Indian board is yet to share an official word on Rohit’s fitness, the right-hander returned to the playing XI for Mumbai Indians (MI) against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Tuesday (November 3) after missing the last four games for the franchise in the ongoing IPL.

Having seen Rohit back in action, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar said is the “best news for Indian cricket” ahead of the tour Down Under.

“Whatever has transpired earlier with regards to his (Rohit) injury, keeping that aside, I would say it’s a great news for Indian cricket that Rohit Sharma is fit,” Gavaskar told YouTube channel “Sports Tak”.

He further added that concerns raised by head coach Ravi Shastri and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly while urging the senior player not to rush his comeback are also “valid”.

“Look, the concern shown by everyone collectively that there could be a rupture (if he hurries his return) is a valid one. But he looked confident. He fielded at the boundary ropes and also in the 30-yard circle,” Gavaskar said.

According to him, there is nothing wrong if the BCCI wants to put Rohit through another fitness test.

“He played the match to show that he is fit but if BCCI wants to test his fitness again, then there is nothing wrong in it. Because they want to check if he is fully fit or not.”

Gavaskar also echoed Ganguly’s sentiments that match situation is completely different from net sessions which are devoid of any pressure.

“May be, he will be monitored. Normally, when you come back from injury, you need to play a few matches as match fitness determines your fitness status.

“Irrespective of how much you look fit in the nets, you are not stressed but when you have the pressure of a match, that gives an idea of how fit you are,” he explained.

For Gavaskar, it doesn’t matter whether Rohit will get his vice-captaincy back in case he makes it to the side.

“Captain, vice-captain shouldn’t be an issue at all. The moot point is the player should be available to play and he is available,” he said.

“Twice Rohit was asked before and after the match and he said that he is fit and doing well. He seemed confident.

“So actually, there is no point going into the details of what happened earlier. Let’s talk about today and today he is fit,” he concluded.

(With PTI inputs)