Big concerns loom over India skipper Rohit Sharma’s fitness as India takes on Sri Lanka in the 1st match of the 3-match ODI series in Guwahati on January 10. Although Rohit has been declared fit to play in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, there is still a fitness test he has to pass before he can take the field in Guwahati. He has been out of the team nursing a fractured finger, an injury he sustained during the 2nd ODI against Bangladesh in December 2022.
Rohit did not have a great 2022, both in terms of run-scoring and captaining the Indian side. He kept picking up injuries throughout the year and could only represent India in 39 out of the 68 games India played in 2022. He could only muster 727 runs in 39 games he played for India in 2022 across formats.
Under Rohit’s leadership, India played 2 major T20 events. India participated in Asia Cup in UAE and T20 World Cup in Australia and could not win either of these tournaments. India could not qualify for the finals of the Asia Cup and was smashed out of the World T20 in Australia in the semifinals.
Rohit missed the T20I series against Sri Lanka at home which India won by 2-1. The upcoming ODI series against the same opponent will be Rohit’s comeback series after 1 month. Although he has been named the skipper of the Indian ODI squad to face Sri Lanka, he will have to undergo a fitness test before taking the field on Tuesday.
In case Rohit fails to pass the fitness test, KL Rahul is likely to lead the side, as he did so last month in Bangladesh in the regular skipper’s absence.