The injury cloud continues to hurt India captain Rohit Sharma as the opener has now been ruled out from the second Test also against Bangladesh, as he has failed to recover completely from the thumb injury that he’d sustained during the second ODI on 7th December.
Rohit missed the third ODI and the first Test in Chattogram, which India registered a comprehensive 188-run victory under the captaincy of KL Rahul, India’s stand-in captain in the absence of Sharma and who will continue to lead in the second Test at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka, starting December 22. This Test series is part of the World Test Championship and carries crucial points as India aim to reach the final again.
“The news of Rohit’s unavailability emerged on Monday (December 19) after it was found that the skipper’s thumb, which was injured during the second ODI of the ongoing tour, has not fully healed. He seems to be suffering from a little bit of stiffness. Considering the important assignments ahead for the Indian team, the BCCI, the selection committee and the team management have decided not to risk him at this stage,” a report in Cricbuzz said.
Rohit injured his thumb while fielding in the second ODI.
And although he batted in that ODI, scoring a valiant 51* after heroicly coming in to bat at number 9 but India lost the match by 5 runs, he returned back to India to get further tests done and recover.
On Sunday, KL Rahul was asked about Rohit’s injury update and his availability for the Dhaka Test, to which he responded: “We may be able to know in the next day or two, even I am not aware of it.”
Rohit’s unavailability for the Dhaka Test means that Shubman Gill will continue to open alongside KL Rahul. Gill scored his maiden Test ton in Chattogram, but could have been dropped had Rohit Sharma been fit.
So when will Rohit Sharma return to play for India?
While it cannot be said with certainty, it is believed that Rohit Sharma will make his comeback from injury in the T20I series against Sri Lanka at home starting January 3. India host Sri Lanka for 3 T20Is followed by 3 ODIs next month, which will be followed by 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is against New Zealand too.
