Rohit Sharma clears fitness test ahead of selection meeting for West Indies ODIs, T20Is

Rohit Sharma is all set to return as India’s captain in limited-overs as the skipper has cleared a fitness test. Rohit is available for selection for India’s ODI and T20I series against the West Indies.

Rohit Sharma will meet the selection committee at the National Cricket Academy on Wednesday afternoon. Rohit had to undergo a mandatory fitness test at the NCA in Bengaluru wherein he was rehabilitating from a hamstring injury.

Rohit had to miss India’s Test and ODI series in South Africa due to the hamstring injury. He was appointed as India’s ODI captain after Virat Kohli was sacked from the role before India’s tour of South Africa. However, in the absence of Rohit, India were led by KL Rahul as they went on to suffer a 0-3 loss in the ODI series.

Rohit will lead India in the ODIs, starting February 6 and the T20i series, starting February 16.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if Hardik Pandya will be picked for the West Indies series. Hardik has been bowling in the nets and the inexperience of Venkatesh Iyer at the No. 6 role did come to light during India’s defeat in the ODI series.

“You have to remember after the T20 World Cup, Hardik was dropped and not rested because of his fitness. The selectors wanted to send him a message after his underwhelming show at World T20 but he is too good a player to be kept out for long,” a BCCI source told the Press Trust of India.

“If not against West Indies, then he will surely be back against Sri Lanka,” the source added.

Ravindra Jadeja also seems to be close to attaining full fitness and will play either against West Indies or in the next assignment against Sri Lanka.