India Tour of South Africa: Rohit Sharma ruled out – In what comes as a huge blow for Team India, newly-promoted vice-captain Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the three-match Test series against South Africa. While BCCI is yet to confirm the injury officially, it has asked Priyank Panchal to be on standby. Follow India vs South Africa on InsideSport.IN.
“Priyank Panchal replaces injured Rohit Sharma in India’s Test squad. Rohit sustained a left hamstring injury during his training session here in Mumbai yesterday. He has been ruled out of the upcoming 3-match Test series against South Africa,” BCCI said in a statement.
India Tour of South Africa: Big setback for India, vice-captain Rohit Sharma ruled out of Test series, Priyank Panchal added to squad
Ajinkya Rahane is expected to take the vice-captaincy role back for the Test series. However, BCCI is yet to confirm officially. Rohit Sharma was elevated to Test vice-captaincy, removing Rahane ahead fo the South Africa series.
NEWS – Priyank Panchal replaces injured Rohit Sharma in India’s Test squad.
Rohit sustained a left hamstring injury during his training session here in Mumbai yesterday. He has been ruled out of the upcoming 3-match Test series against South Africa.#SAvIND | @PKpanchal9 pic.twitter.com/b8VgoN52LW
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 13, 2021
While BCCI said that it was a hamstring injury, there were reports that Rohit Sharma suffered a blow to his hand. As per a PTI report, Rohit, who was handed over the vice-captaincy, winced in pain when a delivery from throwdown specialist D Raghvendra struck his gloves.
“There are some issues with his hand but the medical team is trying to sort it out,” a source close to the cricketer told PTI.
India Tour of South Africa: Big setback for India, vice-captain Rohit Sharma ruled out of Test series, Priyank Panchal added to squad
Meanwhile, a BCCI official informed that Panchal, who scored 96 in an A Test match against South Africa A, has been called as cover.
“Panchal has been asked to report at the Mumbai team hotel tonight. He is there as a cover for Rohit. Also because he recently played in South Africa and scored runs, he was asked to join,” the official informed.
India’s Test squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Priyank Panchal, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Md. Siraj