BCCI Still Waiting On Rohit Sharma’s Fitness, Squad For SA ODIs May Be Picked On January 1st- Report

If reports are to be believed, then the BCCI may name the Team India squad for the three-match ODI series to be played in South Africa on January 1 or later as they are still to hear about captain Rohit Sharma’s fitness as he is rehabbing a hamstring injury at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

Rohit Sharma was named in the Indian Test squad for the South Africa tour but was ruled out due to injuring his left hamstring days before the departure and Priyank Panchal was added as a replacement to the 16-man squad.

The first ODI between the two teams is set to be played on January 19, but the BCI selection panel is awaiting updates about Rohit Sharma’s fitness before finalizing the squad for the 50-over series. The team should’ve been announced by now for the 50-over series but it has been understood that the selectors want to give him every chance to get fit.

It was also reported earlier that Rohit Sharma will be selected in the team subject to selection and maybe given time to get fit in time before the first ODI on January 19.

Senior journalist Boria Majumdar, while speaking on the RevSportz Youtube channel, stated that the BCCI physio is yet to get the fitness report of Rohit Sharma. And therefore, the BCCI has also decided to push the squad selection back to January 1 now.

KL Rahul To Captain India In Odis If Rohit Sharma Doesn’t Get Fit In Time

In case, Rohit Sharma doesn’t get fit in time for the ODI series, newly named vice-captain of the white-ball format, KL Rahul will get the captaincy duties in the three-ODI series. He is currently the vice-captain of the Test team, again filling in for Rohit in the role and starred in India’s famous win in Centurion scoring a scintillating ton in the first innings.

He also won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant knock where he scored 123 and then made 23 runs in the second innings as well.

The second Test match of the three-match series between Team India and South Africa will be played at the Wanderers in Johannesburg from January 3 onwards.

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