Mumbai: India's limited-overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma was on Monday ruled out of the upcoming ODI and Test series against New Zealand after sustaining a calf injury in the fifth T20 International on Sunday.
Rohit retired hurt after scoring 60 off 41 balls after he pulled his calf muscle while going for a quick single during the match in Mount Maunganui.
"He is out of the tour," a top BCCI source told PTI on conditions on anonymity.
During the fifth T20I on Sunday, Rohit walked off the field and could not return again. In his absence, KL Rahul led the side and guided India to a seven-run win.
Before the start of the New Zealand innings, the BCCI stated that “Rohit Sharma is being assessed at the moment” while after the game, KL Rahul said that “he should be fine in a couple of days”.
Rohit's absence can be a big blow for India, who are already without their senior opener Shikhar Dhawan. The southpaw was ruled out of the New Zealand tour after suffering a shoulder injury during the ODI series against Australia in January.
Also, Rohit's injury will in all probability open the doors for K.L. Rahul's return to the Test team. Considering that Rahul was the Man of the Series in the T20Is and has had a good run in ODIs as well in recent times, he could be the choice when the selectors look to pick the Test squad.
Another player who could be in the fray is Prithvi Shaw as the batsman has already been named in the ODI team as Dhawan's replacement after proving his form in the 'A' matches against New Zealand 'A'. If Shaw does manage to get a game and scores runs, he could well be drafted into the Test team to give Mayank Agarwal company at the top.
Coming into the T20I series, skipper Virat Kohli had spoken about how the players have literally started landing at stadiums and playing games without any break and stand-in captain Rahul echoed the sentiments after the win on Sunday.
"Every month we have been playing so many games. It is hard on the body so we have been working hard, to stay mentally and physically fit to keep putting up performances like this," Rahul told reporters after India's seven-run win over New Zealand in the fifth T20I in Mount Maunganui.
"Travelling away and winning a series 5-0 doesn't happen too often. So the next couple of days we will enjoy that, put our feet up and relax. Obviously we have the confidence going into the ODIs, we have been doing well for the past couple of years. Recent form for 3-4 months has been great too, personally as well as a team, we have been doing well," he said.
India will play three ODIs, starting Wednesday, followed by two Tests.
