Gill rested, Pandya, Shami, Thakur returned home, says Rohit ahead of 3rd ODI against Australia
Rajkot (PTI) Indian captain Rohit Sharma on Tuesday said five players, including in-form Shubman Gill, will not be available for selection for the third ODI against Australia, as the squad has been hit by a viral sickness and some players have opted to return home.
India, who are leading the three-match series 2-0, will have only 13 players to choose from for the final ODI.
While Gill is rested, Axar Patel is recuperating at NCA from the left quadricep injury that he suffered during the Asia Cup.
Pacers Mohammed Shami and Shardul Thakur, who played the first two ODIs against the Aussies, and Hardik Pandya, who is yet to play in this series, have opted to go back to their respective homes.
"We have got a lot of players who are sick and not available, a lot of players have personal problems so they have gone home and a few of the guys have been rested as well.
"We have got 13 players at this point in time," said Rohit during the pre-match press meet.
"Obviously, Gill has been rested, Shami, Hardik and Shardul have all gone home again, personal things. Axar, obviously, is not available for this game," Rohit said.
Rohit said the viral sickness going around the group too has added to the uncertainty.
"There is a bit of viral going around in the team as well. So, there is a lot of uncertainty in the team at this point in time which we cannot help," he added.
Rohit, who enjoyed a short break as he missed the first two ODIs against Australia at Mohali and Indore, hoped that the trip back home will rejuvenate the players.
"Looking at the next few weeks it is quite important for us to look after the players and their well-being.
"So, it is okay for them to be at home at this point the reason being we want everybody to be fresh during the World Cup and hopefully they can come back fresh," he said.
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T'gana BC panel seeks reports over infant's death, family alleges caste abuse
Hyderabad (PTI): The Telangana Commission for Backward Classes on Monday sought reports from state government officials on the death of an infant following alleged assault and caste abuse against her family members in Nagarkurnool district while visiting a temple fair.
In separate letters, Commission Chairman G Niranjan urged Endowments Department Commissioner S Harish and Nagarkurnool district Collector Badavath Santhosh to furnish the reports within three days.
Niranjan drew the officials' attention to media reports on the death of the two-month-old baby at Kummera village in the district and alleged caste discrimination and denial of entry to the temple fair to the baby's family belonging to a BC community.
BJP OBC Morcha's state unit president G Anand Goud alleged inadequate response by the police in the incident and demanded a transparent investigation into the incident.
Alleging that the deceased baby's father was attacked in the incident, he also demanded action against the attackers.
Goud told reporters that BJP's state unit president N Ramachander Rao would visit the village on February 24 and meet the baby's family members.
Meanwhile, a BRS delegation met DGP B Shivadhar Reddy and demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
The BRS leaders sought action against a person who allegedly attacked the infant's parents.
BC associations have held protests over the past few days regarding the alleged caste discrimination against the deceased infant's family members.
Police said on Sunday that four persons were arrested in connection with the cases registered after the family alleged that the baby died following an "assault" by a group of villagers. The family also alleged that they were abused in the name of caste in the incident on February 18.
However, a villager, part of the group, lodged a counter-complaint with the police the same day, alleging that he was attacked with stones during a scuffle with the family, sustaining a head injury, following which a case was registered.
The infant died on February 21 and her mother, who belongs to an SC community, also lodged a complaint alleging her daughter died due to the physical assault on the family by some villagers, police said.
