Rohit clears Yo -Yo test, takes a dig at his critics

New Delhi, June 20

Putting an end to speculation about his fitness, India batsman Rohit Sharma cleared the mandatory Yo-Yo test on Wednesday and then fired a salvo at those who had questioned the exemption given to him from the June 15 test. Last week, skipper Virat Kohli, veteran MS Dhoni and other members of the UK-bound ODI squad had taken the test. Sharma had then sought an exemption as he had a sponsor commitment in Russia.

BCCI GM (Cricket Operations) Saba Karim had said it wasn’t mandatory for him (Sharma) to appear on the scheduled date as he had taken permission in advance. India’s limited-overs vice-captain took the test today at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, and then posted on Twitter: “Dear... it’s no one’s business how & where I spend my time. I’m entitled to have time off as long as I follow protocol. Let’s debate some real news shall we and to a few channels, I had just one chance to clear my Yo-Yo, that was today. Verification before reporting is always a good idea.”

BCCI had kept Ajinkya Rahane on stand-by in case Rohit failed to achieve the qualifying mark of 16.1.

In the recent past, senior pacer Mohammed Shami and Ambati Rayudu failed to clear the test and lost their place in the side. Talented batsman Sanju Samson was also dropped from the A tour of England after he failed to clear the mark. — PTI