India captain Rohit Sharma is expected to miss the first Test of the India-Australia Border GavaskarTest series, starting November 22, for personal reasons. India take on the Pat Cummins-led side in the first of the five Tests at the Optus stadium in Perth.
After the 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand at home in the Wankhede Stadium, Rohit Sharma was asked about reports floating ahead of this series about him missing the first Test match in Australia because of personal reasons at the press conference. “I am not too sure about Perth. But fingers crossed,” he responded about the November 22-27 fixture.
Should Rohit Sharma miss out, Indian bowling ace Jasprit Bumrah is likely to lead the side. At an Express Adda earlier this year, Bumrah had joked when asked about his favourite captain, “My favourite captain is me because I have captained in a few games. Obviously there are great captains, but I will take my name. I am my favourite captain.’
India have won the last two times touring Down Under, and are up against a resurgent Aussie side in the five match series.
Match presenter Abhinav Mukund later stated on Jio, “With Rohit Sharma expected to miss the first Test for child birth, now Yashasvi becomes the senior opening partner in Australia.” Commentators Anil Kumble and Simon Doull later discussed how Jaiswal was capable of shouldering the humongous responsibility. This also meant Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, picked as the third spare opener, is likely to debut and step in for Rohit Sharma in the first Test.
The series is expected to be a tough one for India, and not merely because Australians are ruthless competitors. Things become interesting because the second Test at Adelaide Oval from December 6-10 is the Pink-ball Test, a challenge on its own.
India have always responded well when cornered with backs to the wall, and will head out to Australia with plenty of batting concerns but with assurance of having fronted to these challenges. India were reduced to 36 all out last time in December 2021, and without captain Virat Kohli thereafter. But those stepping in, got the job done with the likes of Washington Sundar and Rishabh Pant putting up sterling shows. India, blanked 3-0 by the Kiwis are once again staring at uncertainty of what lies ahead, but will be travelling well in advance to acclimatise.
Earlier when quizzed about Australia, Rohit Sharma had said, “Australia is not an easy place. A lot of guys have travelled there before, but a lot of guys haven’t. We will not look beyond Australia. Obviously our batting is a cause of concern, but what’s done is done. We have to look forward and see what we can correct.”
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