An unexpected surprise for the Indian side occurred at the beginning of Day 3 of the pivotal Fifth Test match between India and England at Dharamsala.
After India’s batting innings ended, captain Rohit Sharma did not take the field; the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave his excuse as a sore back. BCCI posted the news on social media.
UPDATE: Captain Rohit Sharma has not taken the field on Day 3 due to a stiff back.#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2024
India was bowled out for 479 in the first half hour of Day 3 after they resumed their first innings at an overnight score of 475/7. Cricket laws state that if a player is out of the game for any length of time during the other team’s innings, they must be back on the field for the same amount of time when their team bats again in that innings. If Rohit is sidelined for an extended period of time, this rule may have an effect on India’s batting lineup.
Vice Captain Jasprit Bumrah assumed Rohit Sharma’s leadership responsibilities on the field. A team of Indian doctors will be attentively observing Rohit’s condition. After losing two wickets in their second innings, England is now batting on 24. Ravichandran Ashwin has taken both of those wickets to give the home team the advantage in the game.
India
