India’s swashbuckling opener Rohit Sharma is recovering from a hamstring injury and chances of him in playing in the tri-series even if India reaches final is next to nil.
Considering the all important ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 is just around the corner, the Indian team management has decided not to risk injured opener Rohit Sharma for India’s do-or-die cricket tri-series game against England on January 30 and also for the finals in case India happen to win their last round robin encounter in the tournament.
“The physio said after having a look at the MRI reports that Rohit needed a week’s rest and after that could start training. With Shikhar Dhawan completely out of form, they do not want to risk Rohit in this tournament as they have a World Cup to play. The February 8 and 10 warm-up games against Australia and Afghanistan will serve as Rohit’s match-fitness test,” a source close to the team management informed.
Earlier, in the home series against Sri Lanka, Rohit made a comeback after staying away from the field for almost 2 months, and scored that historical double hundred which made him the only cricketer to score two double hundreds in ODI cricket.
Rohit’s injury is a big worry for India ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, as his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan is struggling to score runs and there are big doubts regarding Dhawan’s place in the team.
Rohit Sharma has been in good form in ODI cricket and his brilliant hundred in India’s first match of the ongoing tri-series has been the brightest performance for India in the series so far. Although, the team management is hopeful of him being fully fit before the opening World Cup 2015 encounter against the arch-rivals Pakistan, his injury can take much longer than what many are thinking at the moment. The MRI reports have shown strain in his hamstring and Rohit has been advised to take complete rest for at least a week.
The February 8 and 10 warm-up games against Australia and Afghanistan will serve as Rohit’s match-fitness test.
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By The Cricket Lounge
Image source: Rohit Sharma’s official Facebook page
