As the latest reports emerge, it is learned that Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian Cricket Team has tested positive for Covid-19. The outcome is from a Rapid Antigen Test that was done and it turned out to be positive. A statement released by the BCCI stated that the senior Indian pro has been placed under isolation at the team hotel and an RT-PCR test has been planned for Sunday to confirm and ascertain the severity of the infection.
Rohit Sharma was supposed to open the batting with Shubman Gill:
Now Rohit Sharma faces a race against time to test negative and become get fit for the 5th Test against England. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill looked to be the probable pair for an opening against England. But all plans look going down south. Also, in absence of captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain KL Rahul, Virat Kohli looks like a probable candidate for the captaincy. But Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant also have strong cases for that position.
Rohit Sharma was the one who opened the batting in the practice game against Leicestershire. He scored a well-fought 25 before he was dismissed by Roman Walker being caught by Abidine Sakande.
Srikar Bharat or Hanuma Vihari can replace Rohit Sharma:
The player to replace Rohit Sharma is a big point to ponder upon. Cheteshwar Pujara has dominated the county season so it is obvious that he come back into the playing 11. Cheteshwar Pujara ideally bats at number3 and loves to bat there. Hanuma Vihari was the one who bat at number 3 in Pujara’s absence. So, if Pujara makes a comeback, it is obvious that Hanuma might be dropped.
But the team management can play Hanuma Vihari as the opener in absence of Rohit Sharma. Hanuma has previously played that role in England and once in Australia. He is the Indian Test Team’s crisis man and bats wherever the team needs.
The other amazing option is to give Srikar Bharat his debut cap and ask him to bat as the opener. He was mighty impressive in the practice game. He scored 70 runs batting lower down the order in the first innings and scored 43 in the second innings while opening.
Rohit was India’s best batter:
Rohit Sharma was India’s best batter in England last time. He scored his first overseas hundred at the Oval when the team was struggling. Rohit amassed 368 runs at an average of 52.4. Currently, India is leading the series by 2-1. A loss will result in a draw of the series. But this is India’s best chance to get an outright win after 2007. In 2007 as well it was just a two-match series with the limited scope of a comeback. If India wins this test, it will be India’s top performance on foreign soil.
The possible playing XI is as follows:
Shubman Gill, KS Bharat/Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin/Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj.
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