India tour to Australia 2020-21: Rohit Sharma advised 2-3 weeks rest by specialist doctors: Report

Rohit Sharma has been advised 2-3 weeks rest by specialist doctors.

Xtra Time Web Desk: Almost after 48 hours since Rohit Sharma has not been selected for the Indian team’s tour Down Under, a report has emerged that the selection committee was advised by the Indian team physiotherapist Nitin Patel that the Mumbai Indians batsman needed 2-3 weeks rest. According to a report in Indian Express, Patel had consulted two other specialist doctors on Rohit’s hamstring injury and both advised rest for three more weeks.

“Patel had submitted a detailed fitness report of every player. It’s a normal procedure where the Indian team physio informs the board and selection committee about which player is fit and which player is not. The selectors were informed that Rohit will not be available for selection due to injury. He even submitted two expert doctors’ advice who both said Rohit needs rest for two to three weeks,” a BCCI official told The Indian Express.

Meanwhile, the BCCI is optimistic that Rohit will regain full fitness and travel to Australia with the rest of the Indian team at the end of the IPL 2020. Travelling with the team will also help Rohit to quarantine and stay in the bubble in Australia. Once fit, he can participate in the practice games and get match-fit, a luxury that won’t be available to him in India.

“The injury as of now is manageable. We are hopeful that he can travel with the team. He can continue to be in the bio- bubble with the team, in air-travel and in the Australian hotel. That’s the plan, still,” the source quoted as saying by the newspaper.

There was a lot of confusion with regard to Rohit’s omission from any squads that was picked to travel to Australia later this month. A media release sent by BCCI stated that the medical team will monitor the progress made by Rohit and Ishant Sharma. Immediately after the media release, Mumbai Indians shared a video of Rohit batting in full flow at the nets on their official social media handle, triggering more confusion.

The video came as a surprise for the selectors, who felt Rohit will miss IPL games in order to get fit for the Australia tour. The Indian team is slated to start their Australian tour on November 27. It remains to be seen if Rohit will be seen in action for the IPL 2020 playoffs.