Aus vs Ind 2020: Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma likely to miss the Test series – Report

It is reported that Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma are likely to miss the upcoming four-match Test series against Australia.

Both the Sharmas are currently recovering from their respective injuries at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru but it is reported by Mumbai Mirror that both of them are likely to miss the Test series as they are yet to be fully fit.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma was rested from the limited overs series against Australia so that he could be fit for the Test series. Rohit was added to the Test squad and he was expected to join the team in Australia.

In fact, Rohit had played the last three matches for Mumbai Indians in the recently concluded IPL. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had also revealed that Rohit is only 70% fit and thus he was not named in the white ball series.

Rohit was expected to open the innings with Mayank Agarwal in the Test series. It is also reported that the team management wants Shreyas Iyer to replace Rohit Sharma in the Test squad.

On the other hand, it was recently reported that Ishant Sharma will be available for the Test series as he was seen bowling at the NCA at full throttle. Ishant could only play one IPL match for Delhi Capitals and he suffered a muscle tear.

Ishant would have played a key role in the team’s success as he has all the experience under his belt and he is also the most improved Indian bowler in the last two years.

The lanky pacer had scalped 11 wickets in three Test matches on the previous tour of Australia. Thus, if he fails to recover in time, all the onus will be on Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.

Indian head coach Ravi Shastri had also revealed that it would be difficult for Ishant and Rohit to play the Test series if they don’t take the flight to Australia in the next three to four days due to quarantine rules.

“He (Rohit) was never going to play the white-ball series, they were just looking to see how long he needed the rest, because you can’t afford to be resting for too long. If you need to play in the Test series or any red-ball cricket, you’ve got to be on the flight in the next three or four days. If you aren’t, then it’s going to be tough,” Shastri told ABC sports.

The first Test match between Australia and India will take place at Adelaide Oval from December 17.