Rohit Sharma, who sustained a hamstring injury just before departing to South Africa for the high octane series between the two nations, has been recovering at the NCA in Bangalore. He faces a race against time as he is supposed to lead the Indian ODI team against South Africa which will also be his first ODI series as a full-time Indian skipper.
Meanwhile, team India’s squad selection for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa has been postponed. The team might get picked now by the end of this month as there is still no clarity over India’s new white-ball captain Rohit Sharma’s fitness.
The selectors were expected to meet and pick the squad soon after the Vijay Hazare Trophy ended. But it seems Rohit still needs some more time to regain full fitness. If Rohit Sharma missed the series against the Proteas, KL Rahul will reportedly lead the side as a stand-in captain as the selectors are ready to move on from Virat Kohli as a leader in limited-overs cricket.
Rohit Sharma can get picked subject to regaining full fitness before 1st ODI: BCCI Official
A BCCI official confirmed the news of squad selection getting delayed. He also informed that all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel both are unavailable for selection.
“The team selection meeting will happen after the first Test. It could be on December 30 or 31st but the BCCI is yet to take a final call. Rohit is pulling all stops to get fit but hamstring injuries are a bit different from other injuries.
“It has been learned that Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are unavailable for selection. About Rohit, a call will be taken closer to the selection date,” the official said according to FirstPost.
There is also a chance of Rohit Sharma getting picked despite not being fully fit. However, he will be given a chance to regain his fitness before the first ODI which is set to be played on January 19 which is still three weeks away.
“It could well happen that Rohit is not fit by the time of selection cut-off but then with the first ODI still three weeks away, he could get enough time to be with the team and regain full fitness closer to the date.
“In that case, he can be selected subject to fitness. These are things that chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma needs to check,” the official further said.
The top performers of the Vijay Hazare trophy including the likes of Venkatesh Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shahrukh Khan are expected to feature in the squad.
Highlights:
• The ODI team selection gets postponed and will likely be announced on 30 or 31st.
• Rohit Sharma may be picked even if he isn’t fully fit.
ALSO READ: WASIM JAFFER TROLLS MICHAEL VAUGHAN AFTER ENGLAND GET ROLLED OUT FOR 68 AT MCG
