Rohit Sharma returns to lead Mumbai Indians despite fitness concerns

Sharjah, November 3

Skipper Rohit Sharma today returned to the Mumbai Indians’ Playing XI for the team’s last league game against Sunrisers Hyderabad despite concerns over his fitness. According to Mumbai Indians’ team management, Rohit suffered a hamstring strain in his left leg in the game against Kings XI Punjab on October 18.

He ended up missing the next four games before making a comeback on a day when BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, in an interview to PTI, advised him not to rush his comeback from what he called a “hamstring tear”.

For the same injury, the Indian team selectors had decided not to include Rohit in the squad for the Australia tour on a day when he returned to the Mumbai Indians nets, fuelling speculation about his fitness.

When asked about his fitness status at the toss, Rohit said: “Looks like I am fit and fine”.

With his team already in the playoffs, Rohit could have taken more rest before Qualifier 1 on Thursday but the star batsman decided to spend some time in the middle after a two-week layoff.

India head coach Ravi Shastri had also advised Rohit to not rush his return.

‘Rohit knows he has long career and not just this IPL’

New Delhi: Earlier today, Ganguly had said Rohit should tread cautiously while deciding on competing for Mumbai Indians in the playoffs. “Rohit is injured at the moment. Otherwise, why would we leave out a player like him. He is the vice-captain of the national (limited-overs) team,” Ganguly said.

“We will have to assess him. I don’t know (when he can come back). He hasn’t played so far since the time he has got injured. We want him to recover. It’s the BCCI’s job to get their best players on the park. If he recovers, he plays,” said the former captain.

When asked about the videos put out by Mumbai Indians where Rohit was seen batting at the nets, Ganguly said: “Yeah, you don’t want him to get injured again. He has a hamstring tear and it will get ruptured again. It will then get longer for him to come back. But yes, there are people working with him. The Mumbai Indians physio is working with him. The Indian physio is there. Rohit himself knows that he has got a long career ahead and it’s not just this IPL or next series for him. I am sure he is mature enough to do what is best for him.” — PTI