I have no say, not part of selection: India head coach Ravi Shastri says Rohit Sharma could be in danger of aggravating injury if not careful

India head coach Ravi Shastri has talked about Rohit Sharma’s injury and revealed that his medical report stated that “He could be in danger of injuring himself again” and advised him not to rush his comeback.

When Team India’s squad for the tour of Australia was announced, there was a surprise omission. Limited-overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma was left out from the T20I, ODI, and Test squads by the selection committee headed by Sunil Joshi due to the injury he picked up while playing for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2020. It was announced by BCCI that Rohit’s condition will be monitored. KL Rahul was instead given the duty of Kohli’s deputy for the Australia tour. There was a lot of debate regarding the decision as fans and critics seemed baffled by the decision as MI shared a video of Rohit’s training hours after the Indian squads were announced.

Rohit Sharma with India head coach Ravi Shastri (Twitter)

There still hasn’t been a lot of clarity provided on the matter. Rohit hasn’t played a game since for MI also as Kieron Pollard has captained the side in his absence.

Now, India head coach Ravi Shastri has talked about Rohit’s injury and revealed that his medical report stated that “He could be in danger of injuring himself again” and advised him not to rush his comeback.

Shastri said the call not to include Rohit in the squad was taken by the selectors after going through his medical report.

“It’s being handled by the people in charge of the medical part of it. We don’t get involved in that. They have submitted a report to the selectors and they have gone about their business.

“I have no say, neither I am a part of the selection. All I know is the medical report which says he could be in danger of injuring himself again,” Shastri told ‘Times Now’.

The tour of Australia comprises three T20 Internationals, as many ODIs, and four Tests. The series is scheduled to start on November 27.

Shastri advised Rohit not to make the same mistake he made during his playing days.

“There is nothing more frustrating for a player than he gets injured. Sometimes you know, you want to get out of that room of yours and try and see how quickly you can come back,” said Shastri.”And therein lies the grey area. Therein lies the problem where you want to go and play, you want to test yourself. But only you will know at the back of your mind whether you are 100% of there is a chance of it going again.”

The BCCI is monitoring Rohit’s progress and there is a possibility that he may play for Mumbai Indians later in the IPL.

“What I fear, I have been through that as a cricketer myself. I finished my career in 1991 when I went back to Australia when I shouldn’t have. If I had taken a break for 3-4 months, I could’ve played five years longer for India.”

“So, I speak from experience. It is a similar case. I wanted to go. Doctors told me don’t go. It was greed. I was in tremendous form so there was this eagerness to go back. I hope Rohit’s case is not that serious and same with Ishant (Sharma),” said Shastri.

Ishant, who plays for Delhi Capitals, also got injured during the IPL. Shastri said the Indian team is bound to miss players of Rohit and Ishant’s calibre.

“Both Ishant and Rohit will be missed in Australia. Both were missed in New Zealand too. Ishant played a huge role in our win last time (in Australia) and Rohit played a huge role in the home series against South Africa (last year). Both these players have had a huge role to play for us to be at the top of the WTC standings,” said the head coach.

In Rohit’s absence, K L Rahul has been made Virat Kohli’s deputy in limited-overs format. Shastri was not surprised with the selectors’ decision.

“It is not surprising at all. He captained the side in New Zealand (during the T20 series) when Virat and Rohit were not on the field,” added Shastri.