India Test captain Rohit Sharma is a major doubt this summer’s series against England.
The long-serving skipper endured a difficult time of it against Australia earlier this year and although he marshaled his team to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy a fortnight ago, Sharma could skip the five-match contest with Ben Stokes’ side which begins at Headingley in June.
Virat Kohli, who has also been going through an indifferent spell with the bat, is likely to feature, however.
Sharma a mainstay of India’s powerful batting line-up and veteran of 67 Tests, endured a miserable series Down Under when India were well-beaten 3-1.
The 37-year-old sat out the final Test of that particular series having scored just 31 runs in five innings at an average of 6.20, while his average across his previous eight games stood at a measly 10.93, with a best of 23 against Bangladesh in September.
At the time, speculation was rife that Sharma had been axed from the teambut he was adamant that wasn’t the case.
‘I had a chat with the coach and the selector was very simple,’ Rohit said on Star Sports coverage of the fifth Test.
‘I am not making runs at the moment. I am not in form and it’s an important game. We need an in-form player.
‘Our batting order isn’t in form at the moment. So out-of-form players can’t carry the team at the moment.
‘This was the simple thing in my mind. It was my understanding that I should tell the coach and the selector and they backed my call.’
According to India Today, Sharma has already decided he will not travel to England in June which could result in Jasprit Bumrah leading the side again, depending on his own fitness.
The fast bowler missed the Champions Trophy triumph and the start of the current IPL season with Mumbai Indians insisting he will not be rushed back.
‘He is doing well,’ confirmed assistant coach Paras Mhambrey earlier this week. ‘We’re happy with his progress from the NCA. I won’t dwell on the timeframe. The management and NCA will decide.
‘He’s a big part of MI’s success—we want him back, but only when ready.’
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