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SPORTS DECEMBER 11, 2020 | The Indian Eye 42

indiA in AusTrAliA

Pink ball contest: rohit sharma passes

fitness test, virat skips warm-up game

Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar says it could have worked better for India if they didn’t start with the pink-ball Test

Our Bureau ney Cricket Ground on Friday.

Mumbai/Sydney Kohli had already hinted after
the last T20I against Australia
pener Rohit Sharma that he might skip the game if
has been declared fit by he feels the need to stay fresh
Othe physios at the Na- for the opening Test at the Ad-
tional Cricket Academy (NCA) elaide Oval from December 17.
following his hamstring during Ajinkya Rahane came out
the Indian Premier League. for the toss and it will be a fur-
The batsman had reached the ther boost to his confidence to
NCA in Bengaluru on Novem- lead the team which almost
ber 19 and was set to undergo a wears the look of the playing XI
fitness test on Friday. Speaking for the opening Test with Kohli
to ANI, sources in the know of set to walk in and a few tweaks
developments said the batsman here and there. With Kohli re-
is fit for the rigours of interna- turning back to India after the
tional cricket. “He has passed first Test, leading the team au-
the fitness test and the future gurs well for Rahane as he will
course of action will be decided be in charge for the last 3 Test
by the BCCI and the selection matches. “You know, I can’t
committee,” the source said. play half and half. That’s me. I
The BCCI had informed of can’t just stand in slips and go
the decision to add Rohit to the through the motions. I need to
squad for the Test series against wake up in the morning and
Australia after initially exclud- see. If I feel great, I’ll definite-
ing him from the tour due to the ly play. If not, I’ll speak to the
hamstring injury. physio and trainer and get a few
“The BCCI Medical Team days off and be fresh for the first
has been monitoring Ro- Test,” Kohli had said after the fi-
hit Sharma’s fitness and has Virat Kohli had said the confu- Australia which he wasn’t and nal T20I making it clear that he
briefed All-India Senior Selec- sion over Rohit’s injury status we had no information whatso- wasn’t willing to commit.
tion Committee on the same. is something that should have ever on the reason behind him Interestingly, former In-
In consultation with Sharma, it been avoided and there should not flying to Australia,” Kohli dia skipper and batting legend
has been decided to rest him for have been clarity on the whole had said. Sachin Tendulkar had earlier
the ODIs and T20Is in Austra- matter. “After that, the only informa- this week told ANI how it could
lia to regain full fitness and he “Well, before we had the tion we have received on mail is have worked better for India if
has been included in India’s Test selection meeting in Dubai, we that he is at NCA and he will be they didn’t start with the pink-
squad for the Border-Gavaskar got a mail two days before which further assessed on December ball Test.
Trophy,” the BCCI said in a re- said that Rohit is unavailable for 11. So from the time the selec- “See, whether or not you
lease on November 9. selection because of the injury tion meeting happened and the play the pink-ball Test as first
While the Indian players he picked up during the IPL. It IPL ended and now when this match of the collection or the
who were part of the IPL final mentioned a two-week rest and mail came about his assessment, second or third or fourth, it
on November 10 moved into rehab period, and it said that there has been lack of clarity, might have been your first Test
the bubble for the national team the pros and cons of the injury we have been playing the wait- with the pink ball in Australia. It
that very night in Dubai, Rohit were explained to Rohit and he ing game on this issue and this is would have absolutely helped if
had flown back to India and lat- understood that. not ideal at all,” he added. the pink-ball Test was the third
er headed to the NCA to com- “It was the information we Meanwhile, India decided to or fourth Test in this collection
plete his rehabilitation. got by mail but after that, he give rest to skipper Virat Kohli as a result of we’re enjoying Test
Speaking to the media on played in the IPL. We all thought for the day-night warm-up game cricket after a very long time,”
November 26, India skipper that he would be on the flight to that got underway at the Syd- he had pointed.

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