IND vs AUS: T Natarajan Added To ODI Squad, Rohit Sharma Still In Rehab & Ishant Sharma Ruled Out Of Test series

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday, November 26 gave an update on Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma’s availability ahead of the start of India’s tour of Australia. Ishant Sharma who got injured in the recently concluded Indian Premier League will miss the Border Gavaskar Trophy as he is not ready for Test-match yet.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma is still working on his recovery in Bangalore at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). He will be assessed on December 11, after which a final decision will be taken on his availability. Rohit Sharma suffered a hamstring injury during a match against Kings XI Punjab in the recently concluded Indian Premier League 2020.

India’s 4-match Test series against Australia starts on December 17 in Adelaide and will end on January 17.

“He is presently undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA. Mr Rohit Sharma’s next assessment will be conducted on December 11th following which the BCCI will have clarity on his participation in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia,” BCCI’s statement read.

“Mr Rohit Sharma had to come back to Mumbai after the IPL to attend his ailing father. His father is now recuperating well and that has allowed him to travel to the NCA and start his rehabilitation,” it added.

Ahead of the 3-Match ODI series between India and Australia, the BCCI added 29-year-old pacer T Natarajan to the 50-overs squad as a backup after Navdeep Saini “complained of back spasm”.

The 1st ODI between India and Australia will be played on November 27, Friday, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.