“Nothing has changed since last I spoke” - Rohit Sharma provides crucial fitness update ahead of BGT 2024-25 4th Test
Team India skipper Rohit Sharma has confirmed that he is fully fit for the all-important fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Melbourne, starting December 26. The 37-year-old faced an injury scare after being struck on his left knee during practice ahead of the Boxing Day Test.
Rohit has been in poor Test form over the past four months, with an average of under 12 in his last 13 innings. After missing the first Test at Perth, the veteran batter returned to the side for the Adelaide outing.
However, he has batted at No. 6 in the last two Tests for KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal to continue at the top. Rohit has scored only 19 runs in three innings of the ongoing series, looking out of sorts throughout.
When asked about his knee injury scare at the press conference ahead of the Melbourne Test, Rohit deemed himself fully fit.
"Knee is fine. Nothing had changed since last I spoke," he said [via Sports Express].
Rohit said nothing much has changed in terms of adapting to the different conditions from Brisbane to Melbourne.
"We had two sessions what can change? I think those pitches which we trained they are used pitches. Today is the only day we are going to get fresher wickets. Will go and see how it is, train accordingly," he said.
The Indian skipper also remarked that the 1-1 scoreline was a fair reflection of the series thus far.
"It's been good. We have been fortunate as well thwith e attitude boys showed after getting all out for 150 and then to bowl out for 100. Adelaide we didn't play well, Brisbane there wasn't much. After 3 Tests, if I look at 1-1 it's a fair reflection of how both teams have played," Rohit added.
Despite Rohit's absence, India stunned Australia in the opening Test in Perth by 295 runs. However, the hosts responded in style with a thumping 10-wicket in Adelaide before the drawn outing in Brisbane kept the series scoreline at 1-1.
"It's a challenge to handle the entire team" - Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma acknowledged the challenges in achieving the perfect team combination for every game and ensuring all the players are performing at their best.
After the joy of leading India to T20 World Cup glory this year, Rohit's captaincy has recently come under scrutiny in the Test arena. India have lost four out of their last five Tests with Rohit as captain, with the Brisbane draw being the other result.
"It's a challenge to handle the entire team. It's not the easiest job. You want to try and get best out of every one. When someone is form we see that and Bumrah is making most of it. Siraj and others know they have to step up, they try hard little unlucky as well. It happens," Rohit said in the same press conference.
The next two Tests remain crucial for Rohit Sharma and Team India as they look to complete a hat-trick of Test series wins in Australia.