Rohit Sharma spotted travelling with Team India to Hamilton despite being ruled out from the series

Ace India batsman Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the ODI and Test series against New Zealand kicking off this Wednesday. Rohit, who was leading India in the fifth and final T20I in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, hurt himself while taking a quick single with Shreyas Iyer.

The 32-year-old was seen limping while taking the run and had to eventually retire hurt on 60* off 41 balls. He did not take part in the game anymore and KL Rahul led the side since regular captain Virat Kohli was rested for the game. It was found later that Rohit injured his calf muscle.

On Monday, agencies quoted a top Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) saying on conditions of anonymity that the “Hitman’ was out of the remaining tour. Rohit played a big role in the series-clinching victory in the third T20I in Hamilton as he whacked two back-to-back sixes to bring India a memorable victory in the super over. He did not play in the next game which also went down to the super over before returning for the final game. India, however, won all the matches to pocket the series 5-0.

India clinched the ODI series 4-1 against the Kiwis last year

Rohit though was seen accompanying his mates to the team bus while leaving for Hamilton where the first ODI will be played on Wednesday. Going by their form, the Men in Blue will fancy themselves as the winners of the 50-over series as well.

Last year, India thumped New Zealand 4-1 in a five-ODI series with both Kohli and Rohit taking turns to lead the side. The game in Hamilton will also be the first time the two sides will be meeting in the 50-over format since the semi-final of the ICC World Cup at Old Trafford, Manchester, last July.

Rohit was seen wearing shorts with his left leg bandaged. He clearly looked uncomfortable in moving around even as his teammates were energetic and posed for pictures with themselves and their fans. The supporters would rue Rohit’s unavailability for the Test series since the man revived his red-ball career in style last year by slamming tons of runs against South Africa at home.

He amassed 529 runs in three matches to be adjudged the Man of the Series. Rohit was set to open the innings in New Zealand as well but his injury will now leave it to the likes of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal.

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