Indian team head coach Ravi Shastri strongly believes that the injured duo of Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma should ideally board the flight to Australia in the next 3-4 days else their participation in the upcoming Test series against the 'Baggy Greens' could be in jeopardy.


While having a chat with ABC Sport, Indian head coach Ravi Shastri said that it will be really tough for Rohit and Ishant to compete in the Test series if they are advised rest for a longer duration.

Shastri's comments came on the back of the fact that a 14-day quarantine is compulsory in Australia on the arrival of players in the nation due to the coronavirus pandemic and that will make it necessary for the two experienced players to land in the Island nation by November 26 if they want to feature in their side's final practice match against Australia A from December 11.

"He's going through some tests at the NCA and they're obviously going to decide [for] how long he needs to take a break. But things could get difficult if he's asked to wait for too long, [because] then you're talking of the quarantine again, which might make it really tough for even him to come just in time for the Test series.

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"He was never going to play the white-ball series, they were just looking to see how long he needed the rest, because you can't afford to be resting for too long. If you need to play in the Test series or any red-ball cricket, you've got to be on the flight in the next three or four days. If you aren't, then it's going to be tough.

Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma are currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Bengaluru-based National Cricket Academy (NCA) in-order to regain their strength and fitness ahead of the 4-match Test series against Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma Are Currently Undergoing Rehabilitation At National Cricket Academy In Bengaluru

The injured duo have shown steady progress at the NCA with Ishant recently spotted bowling with full steam under the watchful eyes of director Rahul Dravid, while Rohit Sharma also taking to the green turf at the NCA to undergo fitness drills.

Rohit Sharma on Saturday said that his hamstring was "absolutely fine" but few works were "still to be done" before getting back in action.

The opening Test match of the 4-match Test series is scheduled to commence in Adelaide from December 17.