India ODI Squad SA – Rohit Sharma’s Fitness Test: What comes as a good news for team India, Rohit Sharma has passed his preliminary fitness test ahead of the team announcement for South Africa ODIs. The newly-appointed ODI skipper, who replaced Virat Kohli, missed the Test series due to a hamstring injury. However, he will have to appear for one more fitness test before being declared fit with the team selection expected in 48 hours. Follow India vs South Africa Live Updates on InsideSport.IN
“Rohit seems to be fit. He was recovering well and cleared the preliminary fitness test. He is still at the NCA and will undergo a final test likely tomorrow. We don’t want to rush things. We will take a call based on the test,” a source close to the development told InsideSport.
India ODI Squad SA: Good news, Rohit Sharma clears prelim fitness test, final call after other test on Sunday: Follow LIVE Updates
Apart from Rohit Sharma, two other ODI members — Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are also continuing with their recovery. However, they are yet to be fully fit and the selectors want to take a late call on the duo.
“Axar and Ravindra haven’t completely recovered and are undergoing recovery sessions at NCA. Call on their inclusion will be a last-minute call subject to a fitness test. Again, we don’t want to rush things as we have important series coming up. Also, in South Africa, spinners will play limited roles,” the source said.
India ODI Squad South Africa: Important decisions to be made
- Selectors are against rushing Rohit Sharma as he is an important player in all three formats besides he is the captain of the white-ball formats.
- Rohit will have to clear a final fitness test on Sunday to be available for selection.
- The selectors will also need to discuss the way forward for Ruturaj Gaikwad and Venkatesh Iyer.
- With a packed top-order, Ruturaj will have competition from Ishan Kishan and Prithvi Shaw to even make the squad. He will also have competition from Shikhar Dhawan, whose place is under scrutiny.
- Venkatesh Iyer is expected to make the squad as the selectors and team management want to give him longer rope and he could be set for ODI debut in Hardik Pandya’s absence.
- The other important call to be taken on Shikhar Dhawan’s future. He is unlikely to make the squad after an unimpressive Vijay Hazare Trophy.
India ODI Squad South Africa: Good news, Rohit Sharma clears prelim fitness test, final call on selection after one more FITNESS Test on Sunday: Follow LIVE Updates
As for the team selection, the selection committee led by Chetan Sharma is set to discuss the possibilities with Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid and an announcement of the ODI squad is expected in the next 48 hours. The selectors also wanted to keep a tab on the Vijay Hazare Trophy Final before taking any call.
However, as the two hopefuls in Ruturaj Gaikwad and Venkatesh Iyer are already out of the tournament, the final is unlikely to change selectors’ minds.
“We will have a selection meeting tomorrow or the day after and finalise the squad. Ruturaj has done extremely well but the top 3 positions have a lot of takers. Since Virat is available, it is going to be difficult. You cannot overlook Ishan as well. It is a tough call. We will have a final discussion with Rohit and Rahul (Dravid) and take a final call accordingly,” the source said.
“We need to give Venkatesh Iyer a longer run. It is difficult to judge him by just two-three matches. The rest of the team picks themselves,” the source added.
India ODI Squad South Africa: Good news, Rohit Sharma clears prelim fitness test, final call on selection after one more FITNESS Test on Sunday: Follow LIVE Updates
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