Rohit Sharma ruled out of Test series against South Africa after sustaining injury

Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the three-match Test series against South Africa due to a hamstring injury in his left leg. Priyank Panchal, who led India A in the recently concluded three-match series, has taken over as opener. The vice-captain for the series, however, was not mentioned in the BCCI announcement.

Rohit, who had been practising at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai for the past week, was injured during one of those practise sessions, it has been revealed. It is still unclear whether he will be available for the three-match One-Day International series, for which he was named captain, but it can be confirmed that the injury is quite serious.

When he spoke about the limited-overs captaincy in an interview with bcci.tv on Sunday, Rohit expressed his displeasure to the support staff during the practise session. The physiotherapists performed the tests on Monday, which revealed the seriousness of the injury.

NEWS – Priyank Panchal replaces injured Rohit Sharma in India’s Test squad.

Rohit sustained a left hamstring injury during his training session here in Mumbai yesterday. He has been ruled out of the upcoming 3-match Test series against South Africa.#SAvIND | @PKpanchal9 pic.twitter.com/b8VgoN52LW

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 13, 2021

Rohit did not check into the Mumbai hotel where the South Africa-bound squad is being quarantined. According to sources, the BCCI has relaxed bio-security protocols for those travelling with their families and staying in Mumbai. They have been advised to return home for quarantine. Similarly, Virat Kohli has not checked into the hotel.

PRIYANK PANCHAL ANNOUNCED AS REPLACEMENT

“Team India Test vice-captain Rohit Sharma sustained a left hamstring injury during his training session here in Mumbai yesterday. He has been ruled out of the upcoming 3-match Test series against South Africa. Priyank Panchal will replace Rohit Sharma in the Test squad,” said the BCCI release.

Panchal, the opening batter from Gujarat, scored 120 runs for India A in three innings at an average of 40, including a high score of 96 against South Africa A. He has played in 100 first-class matches, scoring 7011 runs at an average of 45.52 and scoring 24 centuries.

ROHIT ON WORKING WITH RAHUL DRAVID

India’s new limited-overs captain, opened up about his working relationship with the newly-appointed head coach, Rahul Dravid, saying there is a sense of relaxation in the dressing room under the former India captain’s leadership. Rohit said it’s been a pleasure to work with Dravid, who places a premium on maintaining a positive atmosphere away from the field. Following the conclusion of Ravi Shastri’s tenure as India’s head coach after the T20 World Cup, Rahul Dravid was appointed.

“Working with Rahul Bhai, it was three-odd games but it was fantastic. We know how he has played his cricket, hard and tough. At the same time, there is a sense of relaxation as well. It’s important to keep the atmosphere on the field light and cheerful. When you do your job on the field which is so demanding, you need to have an atmosphere where you can relax, chill around,” Rohit told BCCI TV.

India’s Test squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Priyank Panchal, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Md. Siraj.