Rohit Sharma Optimistic About India's Squad Fitness Ahead of England Test Series

Rohit Sharma Discusses Team Fitness Before England Series

New Delhi [India] - On April 16, Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma shared his positive outlook regarding the fitness of his team as they prepare for the upcoming five-match Test series against England.

During an appearance on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Rohit emphasized the critical nature of player fitness management throughout the Indian Premier League (IPL).

“It’s essential for some of these players to be in peak condition. We must ensure they emerge from the IPL in good shape. This season is particularly demanding; even though it’s just four overs, the travel and back-to-back games are challenging,” Rohit explained, highlighting the rigorous IPL schedule.

He pointed out the significance of having key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami remain injury-free, asserting that a fully fit squad would enhance India’s chances in the series.

“I’m hopeful that these two, along with the rest, can complete the IPL without any issues. A fully fit team heading to England would set us up for a successful series,” Rohit remarked.

Rohit also acknowledged the high intensity of modern international cricket and the hurdles it presents. “The level of cricket being played today poses a significant challenge for us,” he noted.

India last secured a Test series victory in England back in 2007 under Rahul Dravid's captaincy, winning 1-0. Their most recent Test series in England concluded in a 2-2 draw in 2022, following a rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston, where they initially led the series 2-1 under Virat Kohli before Jasprit Bumrah took over as captain.

The five-Test series against England will commence on June 20 in Leeds with the first match.

Rohit Sharma stands as India’s leading run-scorer in World Test Championship history, amassing 2,716 runs in 40 Tests at an average of 41.15, including nine centuries and eight fifties.