South Africa vs India: ODI team selection delayed to get clear picture of captain Rohit Sharma’s fitness status, report says

BCCI has decided to delay the selection committee meeting for ODIs in South Africa until the end of this month to get a clear picture of the new white ball captain Rohit Sharmaleft hamstring injury. Rohit has been doing his rehabilitation program at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) but it may still take some time for the India captain to regain full fitness.

“The team selection meeting will take place after the first test. It could be on December 30 or 31 but BCCI has not had a final call yet. Rohit is doing his best to train but has a tendon injury. The hamstring is slightly different from other injuries.

“It is already known that Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are not available for selection. Regarding Rohit, a call will be made near the selection date,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

The absence of Jadeja and Axar opened the door for R Ashwin to return to ODI after four years.

Previously, the selection meeting was supposed to be held right after the Hazare Trophy but it was postponed just to ensure that Rohit had a chance to pass the fitness test.

In case Rohit does not have enough time to participate in ODIs, KL Rahul will lead India for the first time in a bilateral series.

“It’s most likely a case of Rohit not being healthy enough at the time of the selection limit but then with the first ODI three weeks away he might have had enough time to be with the team and regain his fitness. close to match day.”

“In that case, he can be selected according to his fitness. These are the things that selection committee chairman Chetan Sharma needs to check,” the official said.

Currently, Venkatesh Iyer and Ruturaj Gaikwad are two young players who will be part of the ODI team based on their performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The name of M Shahrukh Khan, who impressed everyone as the finisher in the Hazare Trophy, could be up for discussion.

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It remains to be seen whether the selectors will pick him for this tour or keep him available for the home series against Sri Lanka and the West Indies as a T20 pick.

Shikhar Dhawan, the veteran opener despite poor form in the domestic league, could be kept.