India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday said Ishant Sharma — carrying an ankle injury — and Ravindra Jadeja — carrying left shoulder impingement — were fit and available for selection for Monday’s ODI tri-series clash against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground here.
However, Rohit Sharma is still recuperating from his sore hamstring and will continue to sit out.
“Rohit is not fit for this game. Everybody else, including Ishant and Jadeja, are available for selection,” Dhoni said.
When India began their pre-match practice session Sunday, Ishant was one of the first to have a bat in the nets and Jadeja followed him soon.
While confident that the two players at present faced no threat to their participation in the World Cup, Dhoni said smart management of players’ small niggles would be key going into the big tournament.
“We will have to decide whether we want to give them a few more net sessions before playing them or give them a game right away,” Dhoni said.
“When it comes to Jadeja we will also have to monitor his throwing ability and decide whether to have him in the deep to cover the big boundaries or have him inside the circle.”
The ongoing tri-series has been seen as a chance for teams to work out their best World Cup combinations by trying out different strategies.
Dhoni, though, refuted the claim that not fielding their best eleven was one reason why India lost their first two games of the series.
“We have been playing our best XI but we have been hampered by injuries,” he said.
“We do look to try different things but also look to win the game. There is no point in playing someone with a niggle so close to the World Cup.
“You might win the game but end up losing that player for the World Cup. I know this tournament is important but we do not want to lose our best players for the World Cup,” the Indian skipper said.
