MELBOURNE: Rohit Sharma was hit on his left knee while facing throwdown specialist Daya during India’s second training session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Rohit did continue for a bit but decided to receive attention from the team physiotherapist.
The Indian captain removed his gear, settled into a chair and the physio got the ice pack out. There was pain visible on the right-hander’s face when the pack was put on, and the physio later placed the left leg on a chair to get Rohit into a comfortable position.
The blow didn’t look that serious, and the physio is taking precaution to ensure swelling, if any, subsides. There is still some time left for the Boxing Day Test to begin and Rohit would hope the pain goes away.
Akash Deep confirmed in a press conference on the sidelines that the injury was not serious. "Such blows are common when you play cricket. I think this wicket was for white ball which is why the ball was staying low. But these blows are common."
The entire Indian team was in attendance and the session saw Jasprit Bumrah operate at full tilt against the Indian batters.
The seamer was breathing fire in the nets and troubled the regular batters with sharp angles. Even Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep looked in good rhythm as they bowled a very long spell to the Indian top-order with the new ball.
Virat Kohli was also present but he chose to face a lot of side—armers and then spinners Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja.
The players kept shuffling nets and attacks during the session, which lasted well over two hours.
The Indian team will have a rest day tomorrow (Monday).
The fourth Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy begins on December 26. The five-Test series is currently level at 1-1 after the drawn third Test in Brisbane. India won the opener in Perth by 295 runs, and Australia registered a victory in the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval by 10 wickets.