Australia vs India: Rohit Sharma declared fit for the third Test; Ravi Ashwin bowls in the nets

India and Australia are set to lock horns in the third Test of the four-match Test series from December 26. The series is locked at 1-1 and the Boxing Day clash is likely to be the clincher for both the teams as they will take the field fresh after a huge break of almost eight days. Meanwhile, the visitors who were rocked with injury issues after the previous game are set to get a huge boost as Rohit Sharma has been declared fit for the next Test match.

India’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane fronted the media today to announce that Rohit Sharma is fit and also added that he batted in the nets on Sunday. However, he didn’t confirm Ravi Ashwin’s availability who is still recovering from the abdominal strain after the first Test. Having said that, the off-spinner was seen bowling in the nets on Monday and the tourists will be most likely waiting on his fitness reports before announcing the 12-man squad later on the day.

“Rohit is fit, because he batted (on Sunday) in the nets and he’s looking really good,” Rahane told reporters while also stating that the team is fresh after a decent break.

Will Rohit be included?

Though Rohit is fit, his inclusion in the Test team remains a suspense as Hanuma Vihari didn’t do anything wrong in the previous game. He also bowled well and picked a couple of crucial wickets when things were not going India’s way in the first innings. The team combination for the visitiors is a problem as their openers are not confident at all and if Rohit Sharma is to be included, then one of Vihari or him might well go on to open the innings at the MCG.

Meanwhile, Rahane, despite losing the second Test looked upbeat about his team’s prospects going into the most important Test match. “Coming to Australia for a Test series, (if) someone would have told us that after two Tests the result will be one-all , we would have taken it. We got a nice break after the second Test which was so necessary,” he added.

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