Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma both have been included in the Indian test team for the upcoming Test series against Australia. However, both are nursing their respective injuries at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has said that both Ishant and Rohit need get to Australia to be available for the Test series and play it as well.

Talking to ABC Sport, Ravi Shastri has clarified his take on the two players and the possibility of the duo playing the Test series. Ravi Shastri said that the duo needs to get to that Australian flight soon to reach in time. He also referred to the quarantine period which they both need to observe given the restrictions in place for COVID-19.

Rohit & Ishant Need To Reach Australia Soon: Ravi Shastri

“He’s (Rohit) going through some tests at the NCA. They will decide on when he could be back, but things could get difficult if we have to wait for too long (speaking about the 14-day quarantine in Australia). It could become tough for him to come just before the Test series. Similar is the case with Ishant who’s also at the NCA” Shastri said, in a chat with Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Sunday (November 22).

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While Rohit injured his hamstring in the second match against KXIP in IPL 2020, Ishant Sharma was ruled out early of the IPL with a side strain. Ravi Shastri further said that both Ishant and Rohit need to reach Australia within the next four to five days to play the Test series.

He also added that Rohit was never due to play the ODIs and the T20Is, while for Ishant the length of his recovery was the ke factor regarding his availability.

“He (Rohit) was never going to play the white-ball leg of the tour, we needed to know how long he needed to rest, but you can’t afford a long period of rest. If he’s going to play red-ball cricket in the build-up for the Tests (as with Ishant), they need to be on the flight within the next 4-5 days. If one can’t, it’s going to be tough (talking about selection for the Test) said Shastri. 

India will be already missing their skipper Virat Kohli for the final three Tests against Australia. Coach Shastri has backed the skipper’s call saying it’s the right decision that he has made and these occasions don’t come too often.

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