I am fit for Irani Trophy, says Rohit Sharma

There is some good news for Ranji champions Mumbai ahead of their Irani Trophy face-off against Rest of India. Star batsman and India discard Rohit Sharma ‘has been declared’ fit for the five-day clash which will be played in Nagpur from October 1. “I am totally fit and am looking forward to playing for Mumbai,” the 22-year-old told DNA on Saturday.

The youngster, who suffered a shoulder injury while attempting a caught-and-bowled chance at the Buchi Babu invitational tournament in Chennai in July, has been camping at the NCA for over five weeks now.

“I was being monitored by Dav Whatmore, Paul Chapman and Paul Close. While Whatmore was helping me with batting at the indoor nets, Chapman and Close were working on my fitness,” Rohit said.

Meanwhile, the 38-time Ranji champions are scheduled to begin their quest for their first Irani victory since 1997 with a camp at the CCI on Tuesday. Also, Close would be at the CCI to assess Rohit’s fitness one last time. “I am fit and raring to go but the NCA authorities want to see my fitness on the ground. Close would put me through a fitness test on Tuesday,’’ Rohit said.

Meanwhile, MCA released the Mumbai squad for the Irani tie. Wasim Jaffer has been retained skipper.

SQUAD: Wasim Jaffer (C), Ajit Agarkar (V-C), Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Sahil Kukreja, Sushant Marathe, Prashant Naik, Vinayak Samant (wk), Onkar Khanvilkar, Ramesh Powar, Dhawal Kulkarni, Iqbal Abdulla, Rahil Shaikh, Murtuza Hussain, Saurabh Netravalkar; Coach: Pravin Amre, Physio: Dr Aijaz Ashai, Manager: Nitin Dalal, Trainer: Amogh Pandit, Video Analyst: Devraj Raut