In a massive development, ESPNcricinfo have reported that India’s star batsman and limited-overs captain Rohit Sharma is likely to miss the Test series against South Africa due to an injury.
It is being reported that Rohit Sharma picked up an unfortunate ankle injury during one of the training/net sessions. Presently, Indian cricketers are in quarantine, following which they are scheduled to travel to South Africa.
This is a huge blow for Team India as the tour of South Africa holds great importance for this Indian side and fans are hoping that this team will register India’s first series win on the South African soil.
Rohit Sharma is India’s leading run-scorer in Test cricket 2021 and he was also India’s best batter in the final of World Test Championship, on the seaming wicket in England, and against a very good Kiwi bowling attack. As an opener Rohit has scored 1462 runs in 16 Tests at an average of 58.48, with five centuries since 2019.
Cricinfo have also reported that experienced Gujarat batter Priyank Panchal has been alerted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as a potential replacement for Rohit Sharma, for the tour of South Africa. 31-year old Panchal was also in the extended squad for the home series against England. Priyank Panchal as been a consistent performer for Gujarat and he also been a consistent member of the India A squads over the years.
Panchal, who has played over 100 First-Class matches was also a part of the India A squad that toured South Africa recently, and he registered scores of 96, 24 and 0 in three innings he played for India A on that tour.
But, coming back to Rohit Sharma and the unfortunate ankle injury that he picked during training sessions leading to the tour of South Africa, India’s chances will get a big hit as Rohit is also a very experienced member of the squad and the team management will have to look for a back-up vice-captain in his absence.
More to follow…
