ROHIT SHARMA CLEARS FITNESS TEST, READY FOR IRELAND TOUR

Indian cricket team’s limited-overs captain Rohit Sharma announced on Wednesday that he had cleared the Yo-Yo test to prove his fitness, and was ready to embark on the tour of Ireland.

India are set to play two T20Is against Ireland before they travel to England for a full tour, which consists of three ODIs and as many T20Is, followed by the five-Test series for the Pataudi Trophy starting July 3.

Rohit made the announcement after undergoing the test, which is the benchmark for testing the fitness levels of the Indian cricketers.

Failing to clear the Yo-Yo test in the past has already ruled out one of the best batsmen in the Indian Premier League — Ambati Rayudu — from travelling to Ireland.

Fast bowler Mohd Shami too missed the one-off historic Test against Afghanistan last week as he had failed to prove his fitness.

Rohit made the announcement on his Instagram page, where he wrote, “Yo-Yo… see you shortly Ireland.”

Several Indian cricketers — including captain Virat Kohli — have proved their fitness in the past few days at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.

Rohit had reportedly failed the Yo-Yo test twice during the IPL that concluded last month.

Rohit had earlier skipped the test at the NCA as he was travelling to Russia for promotion of a watch company that he endorses, and he took the test upon his return on Wednesday.

He had earlier taken permission to miss the test.

Interestingly, India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane — who led the team against Afghanistan in the absence of Kohli — was reportedly kept as a backup in case Rohit failed. the fitness test.

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