Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja start rehabilitation at NCA after missing South Africa Tests

Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja have started their rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru after getting ruled out of the Test series in South Africa. Rohit was appointed as the vice-captain for the three-match series, replacing Ajinkya Rahane, but a hamstring injured ruled him out of the red-ball matches.

As per reports, Rohit sustained the injury during a training session in Mumbai. Priyank Panchal, who played for India A in their unofficial Tests against South Africa A in Bloemfontein, has been picked as Rohit’s replacement for the Test series, starting December 26 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Rohit Sharma to take three-four weeks for recovery

As per reports in Firstpost, Rohit is expected to take three to four weeks to gain back adequate fitness. The selectors are yet to name the squad for the three-match ODI series, and it remains to be seen if the Nagpur-born can make the cut for the same. Rohit has recently been named as India’s ODI skipper, replacing Virat Kohli.

Kohli didn’t mince any words in saying that India will miss Rohit in the Tests, but also reckoned that it’s a chance for KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal to show their skills with the bat.

“We will miss his (Sharma) abilities a lot. He has proven in England already that he has really worked his Test game out and the opening partnership was very important for us to play the way we did in the series. With his experience and skill, we will miss his qualities,” Kohli said in a virtual press conference.

“But having said that, I think it’s an opportunity for someone like Mayank (Agarwal) and KL (Rahul) to step up and solidify that start that we got in the last series and make sure that the good work is carried on in this series as well,” he added.

Jadeja, in the meantime, sustained a forearm injury prior to India’s second Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. He couldn’t make the cut for the games in South Africa. Kohli also had words of praises for Jadeja for being able to contribute with his all-round abilities.

“Jadeja has obviously been a very, very important play for us. He contributes in all three departments of the game, which is invaluable especially in overseas conditions. He will be missed,” Kohli said.