AUS vs IND: Virat Kohli to return after 1st Test, Rohit Sharma rested in ODIs and T20Is

Virat Kohli will be taking paternity leave after the first Test against Australia of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. BCCI have allowed the Indian captain to return home as he is expecting his first child. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has been rested from the T20I and ODI series over his fitness concerns.

There were speculations over Rohit Sharma and his injury ever since India’s squad for Australia tour has been announced. The selection panel led by Sunil Joshi had initially decided not to include Rohit in any of the three squads due to the hamstring injury but now he has been rested from the limited-overs series. Sharma will continue to feature in the Test series.

?? Other squad updates:

? Rohit Sharma has been rested from the T20Is and ODIs due to fitness concerns. He is a part of the Test squad.

? Sanju Samson has been added to the ODI squad.

? Injured Varun Chakravarthy has been replaced by Thangarasu Natarajan in the T20I squad. pic.twitter.com/L9oriZ1ouZ

— ICC (@ICC) November 9, 2020

Natarajan and Samson find places

T Natarajan was initially picked amongst the net bowlers who were travelling to Australia along with the Indian team. However, the left-arm pacer from Tamil Nadu delivered exceptional performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League for Sunrisers Hyderabad. In 16 matches in the season, he took 16 wickets. Natarajan also showcased his consistency in delivering yorkers with pinpoint accuracy. He has now taken place of Varun Chakravarthy in the T20I squad who has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury.

Sanju Samson, who was already selected in the T20I squad, has been named in the ODI squad as well. Initially, there was no backup wicketkeeper named in the ODI squad for KL Rahul.