India vs Australia: Rohit Sharma eyes comeback, working on getting leaner ahead of the Test series

India vs Australia: Rohit Sharma eyes comeback, working on getting leaner ahead of the Test series
Rohit Sharma recently shared a few photographs on Instagram

Despite missing the limited-overs series against, Rohit Sharma became the talking point right from the beginning of the Australia tour. The Indian opener is currently undergoing the rehab process at the National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru after picking a hamstring injury during the recently-concluded IPL edition. 

He was snubbed by the selectors for the One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty International (T20I) matches Down Under. However, he would be further assessed on December 11 before the all-important Test series later this month.   

Rohit’s lack of fitness has become a concerning issue for the national side from the last few years. However, a BCCI source recently told The Times of India that the 33-year old is working on his current body shape. He said that Sharma’s hamstring is doing ‘pretty fine’, but he needs to have enough strength and fitness to sustain the rigours of Test cricket.

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“Unless the physio gives a clean chit, a player can’t undergo a high-intensity fitness test. But if he is undergoing rehab on an injury in his lower body, he can work on his upper body’s conditioning and shed weight. A lighter upper body will ensure he doesn’t put much strain on the dodgy hamstring,” a BCCI source told TOI.

“Rohit doesn’t want to take any chance this time. He is very conscious of fitness standards. He has been plagued by injuries in the last year. Then the lockdown happened before he got on with his IPL duties. He has been on the road for two years too. That didn’t really give him much of a chance to work on his fitness. Now, he wants to ensure he is in perfect shape and his body is ready to endure the rigours of non-stop cricket next year,” the source added.

Rohit Sharma congratulates Team India after the win

The ‘Men in Blue’ registered a nail-biting victory over Australia during the second T20I match at the SCG. With this win, Virat Kohli’s men gained an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the three-match series. Sharma congratulated India after the game, showing a big thumbs up to the entire squad. 

“What a series win for Team India. Loved the way they played nice and composed. Big [Thumbs up] to each one of them @BCCI,” Sharma tweeted.

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