As the buzz around South Africa vs India Test series is on a high, the biggest setback has been in the Team India front, as the new captain of short form of cricket Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match Test series against South Africa.
The hitman suffered a left hamstring injury during training in Mumbai and has been replaced by Priyank Panchal.
It remains to be seen if Rohit Sharma will be able to recover in time for the ODI series, starting January 19. Rohit was named as the ODI captain after Virat Kohli was sacked from the top job by the BCCI earlier this month.
Priyank Panchal to replace injured Rohit Sharma in South Africa Vs India Test Series
The 34-year-old Rohit Sharma also sustained a hit on his hands at the Mumbai nets while taking throwdowns from Raghavendra aka Raghu. The seasoned opener has added to India’s growing list of injury concerns, with Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Shubman Gill already out of the South Africa tour.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra has also expressed his worries ahead of the Proteas challenge, pointing out how Rohit had “started loving Test cricket”.
After BCCI made the official announcement on Monday, fans took Twitter to wish Rohit Sharma luck in his recovery and also called the development “unfortunate”.
One fan tweeted, “For someone who spoke so well about the work he put in for the England tour, the process he went through, the success he eventually he had, this must be a heartbreaking development. So unfortunate for Rohit Sharma & also worrying that it’s hamstring.”
Here is how fans reacted to the news of Rohit Sharma injury and his absence
For someone who spoke so well about the work he put in for the England tour, the process he went through, the success he eventually he had, this must be a heartbreaking development. So unfortunate for Rohit Sharma & also worrying that it’s hamstring.#SAVIND
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 13, 2021
Meanwhile, another fan wrote, “Wishing you a speedy recovery @ImRo45 #Teamindia @BCCI always need you in Test squad but sad To hear that you have been ruled out by Test series against #SouthAfrica Good luck to @PKpanchal9 it’s a great chance for him to prove himself how good batsman’s he is”.
Wishing you a speedy recovery @ImRo45 #Teamindia @BCCI always need you in Test squad but sad To hear that you have been ruled out by Test series against #SouthAfrica
Good luck to @PKpanchal9 it’s a great chance for him to prove himself how good batsman’s he is@BCCI #SAvsIND— MD ABDUL RAZZAK (@MOHAMMA68626066) December 13, 2021
Here are the other reactions:
Feel sad for @ImRo45 ! He is India’s Best Batsmen in England , Rested for Home series against NZ to be in fresh against SA , Looks all set to create magic again in SouthAfrica but untimely injury puts a break to his dream ! Get Well Soon RO ! Hope to see you in ODI’s !! @BCCI
— Mohamed Azarudeen (@AmAzar93) December 13, 2021
Will miss you in SA Champ
SA tour will not be Same Without you #GetwellsoonRohit #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/wybYwLmSNx— SouRaV VasHisTH (@souravvashisth2) December 13, 2021
Rohit Sharma out for three weeks. Can’t travel to South Africa. Hamstring.
Untimely injury.
— Rakesh Kumar Yadav (@ImRakesh1122) December 13, 2021
Having recently defeated New Zealand in a red-ball series, India are scheduled to face South Africa in a three-match Test series starting from December 26. The first match will be held in Centurion.
Rohit was recently appointed as India’s full-time white-ball captain, taking over the role from Virat Kohli. Kohli still remains as India’s Test skipper, while Rohit was elevated to the position of vice-captain.
India Test squad for South Africa tour
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.
