DNA Exclusive: IPL has not taken over international commitments – Anshuman Gaekwad after Rohit Sharma’s injury ‘fiasco’

India’s tour of Australia has been marred by the injuries to Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma with reports claiming that both players are likely to miss the entire tour. Both Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma are undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA in Bangalore and the reports are not so encouraging, with both players requiring at least four weeks of rehabilitation. With the mandatory 14-day quarantine in Australia due to the coronavirus pandemic, Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma have been ruled out of the first two Tests but their chances of participation are highly unlikely even for the Tests in Sydney and Brisbane beginning on January 7 and January 15.

Ishant Sharma featured in just one game in IPL 2020 before he pulled out of the tournament due to an abdominal muscle tear. The case of Rohit Sharma, though, was far more perplexing. Rohit suffered a hamstring injury and did not play for a couple of games in IPL 2020. The selectors left him out of the tour to Australia but Rohit was fit enough to play IPL 2020 when he helped Mumbai Indians win the title for a record fifth time. The lack of communication between the BCCI and the Mumbai Indians franchise came in for severe criticism.

The fiasco surrounding Rohit Sharma’s injury management has raised questions on whether the IPL is the No.1 priority over international bilateral series for the players. However, former India cricket team coach Anshuman Gaekwad was quick to dismiss it saying that this was an unfortunate situation. Speaking exclusively to DNA India, Anshuman Gaekwad said, “No, I don’t think so. Every tournament has its own importance. I don’t think IPL has taken over. At the end of the day, let us not forget one thing. If players do not turn up for international duty, barring injury, they will lose big time. If they prioritise any other event other than international events, they will suffer themselves. All their contracts, all the other benefits they are getting from various agencies, it will all get hampered. Basically, you have to perform or you will not get any benefit. The players are responsible but this is one of the most unfortunate things that has happened. I hope this is looked at and not repeated again. Players will inform and follow it up as they do not want to lose an international tour.”

Miscommunication deepens

Recently, Rohit Sharma spoke to PTI that he was in constant touch with the BCCI and the physio and that his hamstring is fine. Rohit just wanted to ensure that he was totally fit before playing the Tests in Australia in January. However, according to a report in Times of India, sources within the BCCI have said that Rohit Sharma was never going to fly to Australia. With no commercial flights from India to Australia available and with the mandatory 14-day quarantine as well as the fact that the NCA has reportedly slated for a fitness Test for Rohit Sharma in mid-December, the chances of his arrival in Australia are slim.

The selectors had initially omitted Rohit Sharma from the touring party but Mumbai Indians uploaded a video of Rohit Sharma practicing in the UAE for the IPL 2020. This also led to some criticism for the selectors but Anshuman Gaekwad defended the selectors and the role of the NCA.

“I don’t think you can blame selectors. Selectors go by information they receive. They will not talk to individual players. Even if they talk, what will the selector understand about the injury which is internal? Only physio and individual player can tell,” Anshuman Gaekwad said.

India's tour to Australia will begin on November 27 with three ODIs in Sydney and Canberra followed by three T20Is at the same venues. After the end of the limited overs leg, India will play four Tests in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.