As there’s still doubt about Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma playing in the India’s 4-match Test series against Australia in December, the BCCI is constantly in connection with its Australian counterparts to relax the quarantine rules for the duo.
As per the BCCI protocol, a 14 days quarantine is mandatory in Australia before the start of the series. If we look at the original rules that are to be followed, Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma should leave for Australia at the earliest of 27th November to be able to play the second tour game in Sydney from 11th December.
According to The Indian Express, the BCCI official was quoted saying that if the rules are relaxed, both players can reach in time.
The BCCI official said:
“BCCI is in talks with CA (Cricket Association) which in turn is negotiating with the Australian government about a relaxation in the quarantine rules ( for the two players), if the rules are relaxed, then both Rohit and Ishant Sharma could be available for the (second) tour game”.
Rohit Sharma was injured with a hamstring stretch during the second half of the IPL 2020 and Ishant Sharma was injured with an abdominal muscle tear and was out of the IPL just after playing one game. The duo were undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.
If both the players prove to fail their fitness then their chances of playing could be less. If Rohit Sharma failed to play, KL Rahul might take his position as a opener in the Test match against Australia. Navdeep Saini may also replace Ishant Sharma in Adelaide for Test series as a debutant.
