5 Surprising Reasons Behind Rohit Sharma’s Decision to Skip England Test Series

Introduction

Indian cricket fans were shocked to learn that Rohit Sharma, the revered captain of the Indian cricket team, is likely to miss the highly-anticipated Test series against England. Sources close to the team have revealed the reasons behind this unexpected decision.

The Struggle with Red-Ball Cricket

According to a recent report from India Today, Sharma’s decision stems from his challenging performances in red-ball cricket. Despite his prolific record in other formats, Sharma has struggled to make an impact in the longer format, scoring merely 31 runs across three matches during the recent series against Australia. This led him to step down from the final game in Sydney, highlighting his current form concerns.

Preparations for the England Series

While Sharma steps back, the Indian cricket scene continues to move forward. The BCCI is already preparing for the England series by assembling a potent ‘A’ squad:

• The first four-day match against the Lions is scheduled for May 30 at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury.
• The second match will start on June 6 at the County Ground in Northampton.

These matches serve as crucial preparation for the main event starting on June 20 at Headingley.

Potential Replacements and Future Prospects

With Sharma’s absence, the spotlight turns to other players who could step up. Karun Nair, for instance, has been in exceptional form, leading the domestic charts and helping his team to clinch their third Ranji title. His inclusion in the squad seems almost certain given his current performances.

Conclusion

As the Indian team prepares to venture to England without their captain, the cricket community remains eager to see how the team adapts. Rohit Sharma’s absence is undoubtedly a significant blow, but it also opens doors for others to rise to the occasion.

For more updates on the India-England cricket series, stay tuned to our Cricket section.

(With inputs from PTI)