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After the completion of the three-match Test series against New Zealand, where the hosts, India registered their maiden Test series whitewash at home, concerns over skipper Rohit Sharma’s participation in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy emerged. However, the 37-year-old further expressed that he still remains unsure of his participation in the first Test, which is set to be played in Perth from November 22, a new report has revealed that he will now fly with the team, however his participation is still under doubt.
A top Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source on Saturday, November 9 informed that Sharma will fly out with the team on November 10-11, but his participation in the opening Test still remains doubtful. It is to be noted that Rohit Sharma is expecting his second child with wife Ritika Sajdeh. Although, the cricketer and his wife have not opened up on the same, former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund had earlier confirmed this update.
Rohit Sharma’s participation in first Test against Australia doubtful: Reports
A BCCI source informed, as quoted by India Today, “He is travelling but his participation in the first Test is yet not confirmed. Will see what happens next anything in regard to this. His availability in subject to his personal matter.” Earlier after the 0-3 drubbing against New Zealand at home, Team India skipper while addressing the press conference confirmed that he is “not sure” if he would be available for the first Test against Australia down under. “Not sure whether I will be going, fingers crossed,” Rohit Sharma stated after India’s 25-run defeat in the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai.
With uncertainty over Rohit Sharma’s participation in the first Test, legendary batter and former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar opined that Jasprit Bumrah should be made the captain. He feels that the skipper should be there from the first Test, stating, “It is important for the captain to play the first Test match. It’s different if he is injured, but if he is not available, then the deputy leader will be under a lot of pressure.”
“I have been reading that Rohit Sharma might not play the first two Tests of the Australia series. I feel that, in that case the selection committee should appoint Jasprit Bumrah the captain of the side for the entire Australia tour, and tell Rohit Sharma that you will participate as a player in this series. For the first Test match, Rohit Sharma has to be there,” Gavaskar further added.
India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy vs Australia
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
