BCCI announced India’s limited-overs and Test squads for their upcoming tour to Australia but there was one glaring omission from all the three sides – Rohit Sharma.
The India opener, currently playing for Mumbai Indians at IPL 2020, has missed the franchise’s last two encounters after picking up a hamstring injury during their double super over defeat to Kings XI Punjab.
Which player selection has surprised you the most?https://t.co/CCi0WLkaLA
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) October 26, 2020
While it was presumed that Rohit missed out on a spot because of the injury with BCCI stating that their “medical team will continue to monitor the progress of Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma”, eyebrows were raised when Mumbai Indians posted a picture of him in the nets with the caption, “Hitman in action at today’s training.”
Just what we love to see! Hitman in action at today’s training 😍#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #MI #Dream11IPL @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/FBYIyhtcOW
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) October 26, 2020
4️⃣5️⃣ seconds of RO 4️⃣5️⃣ in full flow!🔥#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #MI #Dream11IPL @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/65ajVQcEKc
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) October 26, 2020
MI’s posts left many perplexed, including former India opener Aakash Chopra.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 26, 2020
Sunil Gavaskar, who was commentating on the IPL clash between Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab when the squads were announced, called for more clarity from the BCCI. “We are talking about the Test matches, which are a month and a half away,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
“And if he is practising in the nets for Mumbai Indians, then honestly I don’t know what kind of injury it is. I think a little bit of transparency, a little bit of openness about what actually is the problem with him will help everybody.”
Harsha Bhogle, on the other hand, was left wondering whether being sidelined from the India squad due to injury concerns would mean the end of Rohit’s IPL 2020 campaign as well.
I guess the fact that Rohit Sharma may not be fit enough to even play the tests in mid December would suggest he won’t be part of the IPL anymore. His fitness is being monitored but with quarantine and travel restrictions, it seems unlikely. What a pity!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 26, 2020
Fans, too, weren’t sure what to make of it all.
Strange🤔
Indian selectors don’t name @ImRo45 in any of the 3 formats for a tour ending mid January (the release says @BCCI medical team will monitor his progress). And the same evening @mipaltan upload pictures of him practising. What’s the catch here? https://t.co/O8VTz5WjJy— Kanishk Johri (@KanishkJohri) October 26, 2020
If @ImRo45 practice in nets then what’s the problem for Australia tour squad ?? @BCCI https://t.co/VTaKTg1dKK
— Siddhant misal (@misal_sid_10) October 26, 2020
MI face Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore next, on Wednesday, October 28, and the situation could become much clearer or even more complicated depending upon Rohit’s selection or non-selection in their playing XI for the match.
