According to India A coach Mumbai dasher showed total recovery
Rohit Sharma buried fitness worries with a stroke-full 111-ball 142 in India A's 88-run win over the touring Sri Lanka side at Brabourne Stadium
Mumbai: Rohit Sharma buried fitness worries with a stroke-full 111-ball 142 in India A’s 88-run win over the touring Sri Lanka side at Brabourne Stadium here on Thursday. The Mumbai dasher hit 18 boundaries and a six but his running between the wickets was exemplary given that he took the field after two months injury layoff. He was ultimately run-out while trying to snatch a second run but was undone by a direct hit from Lahiru Gamage from the deep. Rohit then fielded well and took a running catch at the death to send a clear message to chief selector Sandeep Patil —present there that he is determined for a comeback in a bid to feature in his maiden World Cup.
“We wanted to assess his fitness that’s why he was included in the India ‘A’ squad. He gave a perfect account of himself and showed total recovery. While batting he was in no discomfort and then fielded for full 50 overs. This is a good sign for the Indian team,” said India A coach Sanjay Bangar who is also the assistant coach of Team India. Rohit has already missed six ODIs and isn’t part of the 15-member squad for the first three one-dayers against Sri Lanka. His Thursday’s knock can prompt selectors to do a rethink and give Rohit enough time before the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Like Rohit, Manish Pandey also gave selectors a timely reminder with 113-ball aggressive knock of 135 runs. He shared 214 runs with Rohit for the second wicket. The 25-year-old Karnataka batsman was selected for the lone Twenty20 International that never happened owing to West Indies pullout. “He is batting well and has been consistent for his state. He played a vital part in their success last season. He was fantastic in IPL and won the final for KKR.
He is always on the fringes and this knock will give him confidence,” Bangar said. Leg-spinner Karn Sharma who took 4/47 in his ten overs was happy with his effort. “I am satisfied with every wicket I got including Mahela Jayawardene’s scalp. We had a set a good target and my job was to restrict them. I bowled in the right areas to force mistakes,” he said.
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