Xtra Time Web Desk: India middle order batsman Shreyas Iyer is likely to stay to back in Australia after the white ball series. The Indian team management is contemplating the idea of keeping Shreyas back as a cover for Rohit Sharma, if the Mumbai batsman does not make him available in time for the test series which starts next month at the Adelaide Oval from December 17.
As per reports in ESPNcricinfo Rohit Sharma along with Ishant Sharma has been ruled out for the first two test matches for the upcoming for test series against Australia and their hopes of taking part in the final two tests hinges on swift and decisive action from the BCCI.
To be in contention for the third Test, Ishant, who has regained bowling fitness but needs four weeks of workload to be ready for the rigours of Test-match play, will have to board a plane almost immediately. The lanky fast bowler will have to undergo mandatory 14 days quarantine which means he can only start training after two weeks and another four weeks of preparatory training. Ishant can only be match ready for third test which starts at SCG from January 07.
For Rohit to make himself available for the test series, he needs to get a fitness certificate from NCA by December 08. He will only get to train in Australia after December 22 which means he will miss the first two test matches.
The team management in Australia is clueless about the progress they are making. Neither BCCI nor anyone from NCA has communicated with Coach Ravi Shastri about the status of Rohit and Ishant’s availability. The situation made Shastri to say, “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 Team India Head Coach posted a picture of him in discussion with Shreyas, leading to the speculation that the middle order batsman may stay back for the test series.