India skipper Rohit Sharma injured his left thumb while fielding at the slips on the fourth ball of the second over bowled by Mohammad Siraj. He left the field immediately for medical attention. In his absence, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli opened the innings to face the Bangladesh bowlers.
Indian Cricket Board secretary Jay Shah shared an official update on the opener’s fitness. Shah echoed head coach Rahul Dravid’s words and confirmed that Rohit has flown back to Mumbai to consult a specialist and will miss the third and final ODI on Saturday but a call on his availability for the Test series starting December 14, will be taken later.
“The Indian Cricket Board Medical Team assessed him and he underwent scans at a local hospital in Dhaka. He has flown to Mumbai for specialist consultation and will miss the final ODI. A call on his availability for the upcoming Test series will be taken later,” Shah stated in a press release.
Resultantly, Sharma has been ruled out of the third ODI, set to be played on 10 December. In addition to that, the Indian captain is doubtful for the two-match Test series as well. Although, Sharma came to bat and played a blistering knock of 51* (28), he did not look comfortable. The captain confirmed there is no fracture, but head coach Rahul Dravid revealed that Rohit will fly back to India seeking experts’ advice on the injury.
Bengal batter to get an opportunity
Meanwhile, it’s reported that Abhimanyu Easwaran will replace Sharma in the third ODI and the two Tests, slated to be played after the ODI series. Easwaran scored 141 in the first A Test and was 144 not out at stumps on day two of the second Test. While Easwaran might come in as Rohit’s cover, it will be stand-in skipper KL Rahul and young Shubman Gill who would be opening the innings for India in Chattogram and Dhaka.
There are injury concerns over senior cricketers Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami too. The duo were supposed to be there for the ODI series but were ruled out due to injuries. If they also don’t join the squad then doors might open to a few more India A cricketers. Pacers Navdeep Saini, and Mukesh Kumar have done really well in the two unofficial Tests and so has the left-arm spinner, Saurabh Kumar.
