India vs Australia | Rohit Sharma to miss fourth Test for birth of first child

After missing the second Test match in Perth with a niggling back issue, Rohit Sharma was back in the squad for the crucial third encounter against Australia in Melbourne. The Mumbai-born cricketer scored a fast-paced 63* in the first innings which helped the Indians to a mammoth total of 443/7 before declaring. 

However, recent reports in the Times of India have indicated that the Indian ODI vice-captain won’t be a part of the team for the fourth and final Test match of the series in Sydney. Reports suggest that Rohit has flown down to India from Australia to be with his with his wife for the birth of their first child. 

“It would’ve been great to have him (Rohit) around. Tactically, he brings so much to the side and then his batting provides the right kind of balance to the side. But what awaits him is far bigger and more important,” a source told The Times of India.

Sharma, who is the only player to score three double tons in the ODI format, was also a part of the playing XI in the first game, where he scored 37 and 1. Sharma was dismissed in a surprising way in the first innings after he opted to play a lofted shot against Nathan Lyon despite surviving the previous delivery. 

Rohit had made a comeback to the Indian Test team for the ongoing tour of Australia. He was preferred ahead of Hanuma Vihari for the series opener but had to sit out the second due to an injury. India is currently leading the series 2-1 with the final Test to be played from January 3 in Sydney. With a win in Melbourne, the visitors have ensured that they retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with one game to go.

Confirming the reports, BCCI later released a statement stating, "He will join the ODI squad on the 8th of January 2019, when the team begins their preparation for the ODI series starting 12th January."