We had no information whatsoever on the reason why Rohit Sharma is not travelling with us: Virat Kohli

Ahead of the much-anticipated India tour of Australia, Indian team skipper Virat Kohli made a sensational claim stating that there is no clarity over the fitness of India’s limited-overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma. Rohit had suffered a hamstring injury during the just-concluded 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and hence was ruled out of the Australian tour.

However, the batsman was later added in Test format after he started playing in the IPL for his franchise Mumbai Indians. It was expected that Rohit would board the flight from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Sydney with his Indian teammates but the opening batsman surprised everyone by travelling to India after winning the IPL 2020 final.

Rohit then went to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to undergo rehabilitation and get completely fit for the Test series. It was speculated that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had suggested the batsman the same. But the situation took a complete turn when recent reports alleged that nobody in BCCI asked Rohit to return back to India and go to NCA. There were other assumptions that Rohit returned to India as his father was suffering from Covid-19.

Virat Kohli opines on Rohit Sharma’s injury

Meanwhile, Indian skipper Virat Kohli clarified that he doesn’t know anything about Rohit’s injury or his participation in the Australian tour. Though he wanted Rohit to play in the Australian series as he is a vital cog for the team’s success.

“We had no information whatsoever on the reason why he is not travelling with us. The only other information we have received officially that he is at the NCA and he will be further assessed on December 11. From that selection meeting to IPL finishing till the last e-mail, there has been no information, lack of clarity and we have been playing the waiting game on this issue for a while, which is not ideal at all. It has been confusing,” Virat Kohli said in the virtual press conference.

Rohit’s participation in the purest format of the game is also not confirmed as he along with pace Ishant Sharma had to board the flight to Australia a few days back to complete their mandatory 14-days quarantine period and be available for Test matches. The duo is ruled out of the first two Tests and their chances of participating in the last two Tests are bleak as well.