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Team India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the press conference ahead of the team’s departure to Australia for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Speaking on Monday, November 11, Gambhir also opened up on skipper Rohit Sharma’s participation in the first Test, set to be played from November 22 in Perth, he also spoke of the probability of Jasprit Bumrah leading the side in his absence.
With the World Test Championship (WTC) points up for grabs, both teams, India and Australia will eye to finish on the top. While India will aim to go all out to clinch the series and confirm for their third straight appearance, Australia will aim to extend their lead at the top of the standings.
Bumrah to lead if Rohit Sharma is unavailable: Gautam Gambhir
Speaking ahead of Team India’s departure from Mumbai, Gambhir confirmed, “Bumrah is vice-captain; if Rohit is not available, he is going to lead in Perth.” However, with uncertainty over Rohit Sharma’s participation in the first Test continues, he further added, “At the moment, there is no confirmation but we will let you know exactly what the situation will be. Hopefully he’s going to be available, but everything we’re going to get to know at the start of the series.”
It is to be noted that the skipper and his wife are expecting their second child, however they have remained tight-lipped on the matter. Speaking after India’s 0-3 drubbing against New Zealand at home in three-match Test series, Rohit Sharma has stated, “Not sure whether I will be going, fingers crossed.”
BGT 2024-25: Squads for first Test between Australia and India
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.
Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc
