Former left-handed batsman Gautam Gambhir believes Team India has been suffered a massive blow with the withdrawal of Rohit Sharma from the three-match Test series versus South Africa. On December 8, Rohit was chosen national Test vice-captain, succeeding Ajinkya Rahane, although a hamstring strain means he will miss the red-ball games.
Gambhir, who withdrew from all formats of cricket three years ago in December 2018, believes Rohit’s absence will be a huge blow, particularly considering his performance in the England Tests previously this year. Sharma, 34, was the series’ 2nd-highest run-scorer, with 368 runs from 4 games at an avg of 52.57.
On the very same tour, he scored his first Test century on foreign grounds. Gambhir, a former World No.1 Test batsman, stated that Rohit would be disappointed in missing the play.
Great opportunity for Priyank Panchal to make the country proud: Gambhir
“It’s a big blow for India and the way he batted in England, he would have like to go, South Africa, as he wouldn’t want to miss a Test while being in good form. He was just appointed as a vice-captain so it’s a massive blow,” said Gambhir.
Priyank Panchal, a right-handed batsman, has been named as Rohit’s alternative for the test, and Gambhir expects the Youngster to do well. “Great opportunity for the youngster to pick up this opportunity and make the country proud,” he added.
The Nagpur-born Rohit suffered the injury during a practice session, and it is yet to be included if he will be able to play in the ODI series.
“Team India Test vice-captain Rohit Sharma sustained a left hamstring injury during his training session here in Mumbai yesterday. He has been ruled out of the upcoming 3-match Test series against South Africa. Priyank Panchal will replace Rohit Sharma in the Test squad,” a BCCI release was quoted as saying.
In Rohit’s unavailability, India will almost certainly start the first Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion alongside Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill. The final 2 Tests of the series will be held in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
