Gautam Gambhir, VVS Laxman Criticise BCCI Over Rohit Sharma's Injury Fiasco

Rohit Sharma’s injury fiasco continues to be be one of the most-talked about topics in the Indian cricketing fraternity at present. Virat Kohli’s latest comments regarding the same has only added fuel to the fire. Last week, the India skipper had said that there was confusion over Rohit Sharma’s injury.

Speaking before the first ODI against Australia, the 32-year old said that he thought Rohit would take the flight to Australia after playing in the IPL. The opener, however, returned home while the rest of the team went to Australia from the UAE.

Kohli also reckoned the chances of Rohit and Ishant Sharma playing in the series would’ve increased if they, like Wriddhiman Saha, had travelled to Australia from UAE after the IPL and undergone rehabilitation there. Rohit had suffered a hamstring injury during IPL and was initially not picked for the Australia tour.

The opener went on to play the playoffs and the final, but returned to India after the tournament to continue his recovery from the injury at the NCA in Bangalore. There are question marks over his participation in the series.

Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman on the confusion:

Former India batsmen Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman recently spoke on Rohit Sharma’s injury fiasco. Gambhir said that the situation could’ve been easily avoided and only 3 people needed to be involved in the communication chain. He said that the head physio, head coach and the chairman of the selectors needed to be kept updated on the injury.

“The Rohit Sharma situation could’ve been handled pretty easily since there wasn’t any need for too many people to get involved. Only the head physio, head coach and chairman of selectors were to be involved in the injury case. Had there been clear communication with the 3, it would’ve been enough. Of course, Virat Kohli were to get updated at every step through Ravi Shastri,” Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports show Cricket Connected.

Echoing the same sentiments, Laxman said that the BCCI could’ve handled the Rohit Sharma travel situation better given the series is being held amid a pandemic and strict quarantine protocols are in place.

“Rohit Sharma is a very valuable player in Test matches. So I would’ve kept him in the chain, subject to fitness, would’ve definitely kept him in the picture. Secondly, you could’ve sent him with the team after that, keeping the quarantine rules in mind. Because there is a 14-day quarantine, in the soft quarantine since you have been in the bubble in UAE. Then you move to another bubble [in Australia]. In soft quarantine, you can practice, train with teammates, hit the gym.

But when you’re taking a commercial flight to Australia, you won’t be allowed to go out of your room and mingle and come in contact with people. So, I believe, the BCCI should’ve thought of this in hindsight,” Laxman said on the show.

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