Team India received a massive setback ahead of the ODI and Test series against New Zealand with star opener Rohit Sharma ruled out of the remainder of the tour. Rohit has been in spectacular form in recent times and his absence will haunt the visitors. Meanwhile, young Shubhman Gill will replace the veteran opener for the two-match Test series.
Rohit suffered a muscle pull while sneaking in a single during the fifth T20I at the Bay Oval. He got immediate medical attention and struck a six in the very next delivery. But decided to discontinue preventing further damage as he was not fit enough to run between the wickets. While KL Rahul had assured that Rohit Sharma will be fit for the ODI series but recent reports suggest that the dashing opener might miss the rest of the tour.
Read More: India once again fined for slow over-rate
"He is out of the tour. Right now, it's not looking good. The physio is assessing him. We will get to know how bad it is but he is not taking any further part in the series," a top BCCI source told PTI on conditions on anonymity.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, who is touted as the future star of Indian cricket is likely to replace him in the Test series, confirmed BCCI President Sourav Ganguly as per reports in ESPNCricinfo. However, there is no final announcement as of yet by the apex body. Gill is currently touring New Zealand with the India A and has grabbed the eyeballs with a stunning double century in the recently-concluded tie against New Zealand A.
Read More: KL Rahul attains career-best position in the latest T20I rankings
In the ODIs, Mayank Agarwal is likely to join the side as the third opener with KL Rahul and Prithvi Shaw likely to start in the first match. Notably, Shikhar Dhawan was earlier ruled with a shoulder injury he suffered during the series against Australia.