Whether captain Rohit Sharma will return for the remainder of the Mumbai Indians' 2020 Indian Premier League campaign remains in the balance.
Sharma has been sidelined by a hamstring injury, leaving West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard to lead the XI.
He has not been included in India's squads for this year's Test, ODI and T20I series against Australia.
“I don't know, I'm not on any of these public media but I was shown something about him practising at the nets for Mumbai Indians. So I don't know what kind of injury it is. Because if the injury was serious he wouldn't even be padded up,” said former India captain Sunil Gavaskar.
“So we're talking about a tour that starts at the end of November for T20Is and ODIs but the Test matches start around 17 December which is a month and a half away. And if he's practising in the nets for Mumbai Indians then honestly don't know what kind of injury it is.
“And I think a little bit of transparency, a little bit of openness about what actually is the problem with him will help everybody. Because the Indian cricket fan deserves to know more than anything else.
“The franchises I understand, they don't want to give their hand away because they're trying to win the game, they don't want to give the opposition any psychological advantage but we're talking about an Indian team.”
Agarwal Injured, Too
The Kings XI Punjab, meanwhile, have played two matches without batsman Mayank Agarwal. He has been among the 2020 tournament's leading run-scorers, but has been absent due to injury.
“Even Agarwal for example, Agarwal has not been playing. I think for the Indian cricket fan, they ought to know what is happening to two of their key players,” added Gavaskar.
Mumbai are the reigning IPL champions. They beat the Chennai Super Kings in last year's final. Mumbai have four titles. Chennai have three.
Punjab have never won the IPL. They are in contention for a berth in the IPL 2020 playoffs on the back of five consecutive victories. The unbeaten streak has coincided with batsman Chris Gayle's inclusion in the XI. Gayle had been absent due to illness.
