India vs Australia: Rohit Sharma Departs for Australia, In Contention for Selection from Third Test

India opener Rohit Sharma reportedly left for Australia in the early hours of Tuesday as he looks to be ready in time to play the third Test match in the four-match series Down Under. "He left in the early hours today and is headed to Australia via Dubai," a source told ANI. The physios at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) gave him a clean chit on Friday and the BCCI sent out an official release on Saturday saying that while he is 'clinically fit' to head to Australia, he will continue to work on his endurance during his quarantine period there.

"Team India batsman Rohit Sharma has completed his rehabilitation process at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and is now clinically fit. He has been rehabilitating and training at NCA since 19th November following a high-grade left hamstring injury suffered during the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Also Read: Virat Kohli Jumps to Second Spot in ICC Test Rankings Behind Steve Smith

"The NCA medical Team was satisfied with the physical fitness of Sharma after assessing him on different metrics that tested his skills related to batting, fielding, and running between the wickets. Sharma's physical fitness has been satisfactory, however, he will be required to continue work on his endurance.

"He has been given a detailed programme to follow for the duration of the two weeks he will be quarantined for. He will be reassessed by the Team India medical team post his quarantine to establish his fitness status and a call on his participation in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be taken accordingly," the BCCI release said.

Also Read: India Look More Settled Going into Adelaide Test - Isa Guha

Rohit had injured his hamstring during the Indian Premier League in UAE and he was initially left out of the Australia tour before the selectors reassessed his injury status and added him to the squad for the Test series.

While the initial thought was that Rohit would travel to Australia with the rest of the squad and continue working on his hamstring with the Indian physios, he headed home to be with his ailing father.

The opener then headed to the NCA in Bengaluru post-Diwali to undergo rehab with the physios at the NCA.

Also Read: Concern for Australia as Steve Smith Leaves Training Early With Sore Back

With the third Test set to get underway from January 7, Rohit should be ready to be a part of the game at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The first Test of the series gets underway on Thursday (December 17).

• Australian cricket team
• cricket
• cricket news
• India vs Australia
• India vs Australia 2020
• Indian cricket team
• rohit sharma