ENG vs IND: Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara not to take the field further in Oval Test

Team India have been dealt with a blow as Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara won’t be taking the field further in the fourth Test against England at the Kennington Oval in London. The 34-year-old Rohit has discomfort in his left knee and hence, would be sitting out. Rohit’s task with the bat in the ongoing Test is already over after he scored his maiden overseas Test ton.

Pujara’s job in the game is as good as over as well. The top-order batter has complained of pain in his left ankle and therefore, the team management didn’t take the risk of getting him on the field. Rohit and Pujara are currently under observation of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) medical team. It remains to be seen if they can get fit for the fifth and final Test.

UPDATE – Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara will not take the field. Rohit has discomfort in his left knee while Pujara has pain in his left ankle. The BCCI Medical Team is assessing them. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/ihMSUPR7Im

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 5, 2021

Rohit Sharma- India’s leading run-scorer in the series

The last game of the five-match Test series is scheduled to get underway on September 10 at the Old Trafford in Manchester. Rohit has been a vital cog in India’s batting as he is the leading run-scorer for the visitors in the series. Having scored a ton at the KIA Oval, his confidence would also have skyrocketed.

He is second on the list of leading run-scorers in the series after Joe Root. Pujara, on the other hand, has had his fair share of troubles, but he has given glimpses of his potential in the series, having scored two half-centuries.

As far as the ongoing Test is concerned, the game is hanging in the balance with all three results on the cards on Day 5. In the final day, the Three Lions need 291 runs to win and take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series. Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed have stitched together a partnership of 77 for the opening wicket to kick-start the hosts’ run-chase on a grand note.

Earlier, Rohit’s 127 helped India set England a target of 368 to chase down in the fourth innings. Ajinkya Rahane’s poor run of form in the series continued. Virat Kohli got scores of 44 and 50 and he’s still searching for his first century in more than two years.