Wives join Indian players down under

The wives of a few members of the India team have joined them ahead of the three-match T20 series, it is learnt here. According to a BCCI source, at least five players sought permission to allow their wives to join the tour. The wives of Ajinkya Rahane (Radhika), Umesh Yadvav (Tanya), Rohit Sharma (Ritika), Harbhajan Singh (Geeta Basra) and Ashish Nehra (Rushma) have joined the tour.

A few of these players were already in Australia for the five-match ODI series. Injured Rahane is recovering and has stayed back in Australia.

“He is recovering well and may play the Twenty20 series. He may be available for the second and third Twenty20s, if not for the first match (Adelaide on Tuesday),” a family members said. “His wife has joined the tour,” the close family member added. Rishikesh Upadhyay, the logistics manager has been asked to make necessary arrangements for the “new arrivals” in Australia. “M.S. Dhoni has not sought permission for his wife (Sakshi) and daughter (Ziva),” the BCCI official said. “No player sought permission for the ODI leg of the current tour,” the source added. “Even the players’ girlfriends have not joined the team.

Anushka Sharma can’t stay with Virat Kohli in his room and Yuvraj Singh is yet to marry Hazel Keech and therefore they are unlikely to be on tour,” the BCCI official added.