Calf injury rules Rohit Sharma out of New Zealand tour, Mayank Agarwal likely for ODIs
Rahul, Gill for Test
New Delhi: In a blow to India, limited-overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma was on Monday ruled out of the upcoming ODI and Test series against New Zealand after sustaining a calf injury during the fifth T20 International in Mount Maunganui.
Rohit retired hurt after scoring 60 off 41 balls after he pulled his calf muscle while going for a quick single during the match that India won on Sunday.
"He is out of the tour. Right now, it's not looking good. The physio is assessing him. We will get to know how bad it is but he is not taking any further part in the series," a top BCCI source told PTI on conditions on anonymity.
India are set to play three ODIs, starting Wednesday, and two Tests after that.
Going by the pecking order, Mayank Agarwal is likely to be the reserve opener in the ODI format just like during the home ODIs against the West Indies. However, Shubman Gill, with a double hundred in the ongoing A series Tests against New Zealand A, is also back in the mix.
The old selection committee under MSK Prasad will be announcing the replacement but it might take some time as convenor of the selection committee, secretary Jay Shah, is on his way to New Zealand along with treasurer Arun Dhumal.
"Once the secretary's approval comes, the replacement will be announced," the source added.
In the Tests, the experienced KL Rahul could well be back donning the India whites while Gill and Prithvi Shaw are likely to fight for the reserve opener's slot.
It has still not been ascertained whether Rohit has had a calf muscle tear but he looked in severe pain even after physio Nitin Patel attended to him.
Despite pain, smacked a six off Ish Sodhi but had to be replaced after it became unbearable for him. Rohit's injury is a big blow to the Indian team especially after his stupendous show across formats in 2019.
He continued his match-winning efforts first against Australia at home followed by two fine knocks in the recently concluded T20 International series against New Zealand, which India won 5-0.
It included a stellar Super Over performance where he hit back-to-back sixes.
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Union Minister Puri says he will support if Mangaluru were to organise Energy Security summit
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Jan 11: Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has urged Dakshina Kannada MP Brijesh Chowta to organise an energy security summit in Mangaluru in collaboration with oil marketing companies.
Puri was addressing a session on India’s energy security at the seventh edition of the Mangaluru Literature Festival on Saturday.
He said the proposed summit could serve as an extension of India Energy Week, which he described as the “fulcrum” of the country's energy sector engagements.
“We can easily do it. If you want to organise an event here, talk to the oil marketing companies—I will support it,” the Minister said in response to a question on expanding energy summits beyond major cities.
Puri also invited the public to attend India Energy Week, scheduled next month.
“We started three years ago, and today it is the largest energy show in the world. It integrates fossil fuels, emerging technologies, and startups in the energy sector,” added Puri.
He said a permanent exhibition facility is being developed in Goa on the land provided by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), similar to Bharat Mandapam and YashoBhoomi in Delhi, to host global energy conferences.
