India vs Australia: “At the NCA, they wanted Rohit Sharma to reduce his weight,” says Pragyan Ojha

India vs Australia: “At the NCA, they wanted Rohit Sharma to reduce his weight,” says Pragyan Ojha
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma

The saga surrounding Rohit Sharma‘s availability was the key talking point before India’s tour of Australia kicked off. There ere speculations as to whether India’s limited-overs vice-captain was excluded from the squads for the white-ball leg of the tour and the first two Tests due to fitness issues or personal reasons. Although the same continues to remain unclear, it has been stated by sources from BCCI that it was fitness issues that kept him out.

Rohit had been practicing in the National Cricket Academy in Mumbai when the white-ball leg of the tour was being played before receiving clearance to travel to Australia and join the Indian camp after a 14-day quarantine period in Sydney. With the Test series now level at 1-1, Rohit Sharma is expected to be picked for the third and fourth Tests and the 33-year-old will look to win the remaining Tests for his side.

‘Rohit needs a lot of practice now’ – Pragyan Ojha

Pragyan Ojha
Pragyan Ojha

Former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha talked to Sports Today about Rohit Sharma’s training at the NCA. “Rohit needs a lot of practice now because he had a 14-day quarantine period in his room, he has to get used to the conditions their and I think it’s the best way – go out there and practice,” he said.

“At NCA they made sure that Rohit was training harder because during the IPL and before that he had put on a little bit of weight, so they wanted him to reduce that. When you have not played for so long we are seeing a lot of injuries this season. So maybe because of that they wanted Rohit to be totally match fit. At NCA everybody’s focus was to get Rohit ready so that he doesn’t have an injury on the field,” Ojha further said.

The third Test between India and Australia will begin from January 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Also Read: India vs Australia: Ravi Shastri provides update on Rohit Sharma’s inclusion in third Test