I have to pass the fitness test before playing for India again: Rohit Sharma

For the past two years, Rohit Sharma has probably been one of the busiest cricketers in India. Apart from Virat Kohli, he is the only person who has been with the Indian squad in all three formats regularly. Especially 2019 was an extremely tough year for the Mumbai player in terms of the workload. He played in the IPL, followed by the World Cup and then travelled to the Caribbean.

Rohit featured in almost every match during the home season, except the three T20Is against Sri Lanka. With all that workload on his back, his time at the New Zealand tour was cut short. He injured his calf muscle due to stress while batting in the fifth T20I. The injury ruled him out of the rest of the tour and didn’t feature in the three ODIs and two Tests.

I was almost ready to play before lockdown, says Rohit Sharma

The right-handed batsman was expected to return to competitive cricket with the IPL. However, with the cash-rich league being now indefinitely postponed, the Mumbai Indians skipper might still have some time in resuming his cricket. During an interaction with La Liga’s Facebook page on Saturday, the opening batsman revealed that he will have to clear a fitness test before playing for India again.

Rohit Sharma pointed out that a fitness test is required at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru before he can return to playing. However, given the current situation, is not likely that will happen anytime soon.

“Before the lockdown happened, I was almost ready to play. That whole week was going to be my fitness test but that’s when the lockdown happened and I had to push back everything now. Once everything opens up, I have to first go to the centre (NCA) and give my fitness test and once I pass the fitness test I will be allowed to go and resume my duties with the team,” the 33-year-old said.

After Rohit Sharma got injured during New Zealand tour, India didn’t win even a single match. The new opening pair of Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw was too inexperienced and the Kiwi were extremely good in Tests as well.