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With the five-match Test series between Australia and India less than a week away from start, there have been a bit of clarity of skipper Rohit Sharma’s participation in the first Test, scheduled to be played from November 22 in Perth. However, there have been suspense over India captain Rohit Sharma’s availability for the first Test, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has cleared the air around it.
Earlier, Team India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir had also stated that the availability of the skipper is still unconfirmed and if he misses out vice-captain, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side. Sharma, who is on a paternity break recently welcomed his second child, a baby boy with wife Ritika Sajdeh.
Rohit Sharma will not be there in the first: Sanjay Manjrekar confirms
Speaking in an interaction with Star Sports, former India cricketer turned commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar said, 'Rohit Sharma will not be there in the first. For him, it will be a bit of a break (from scrutiny). Because of his absence, the team will be a bit more lighter.” The 59-year-old also highlighted on the form Rohit Sharma and Virat will be carrying, while putting down the expectations from star batter Virat Kohli.
“Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be thinking 'it's good, we are going to play in a home away from home'. They were struggling a lot on turning pitches. Facing pace and bounce is not a problem for Rohit Sharma. If you have seen Virat Kohli in South Africa the last time India toured there, he was looking like India's best player. For him, there will be a sigh of relief. It's a home away from home for them,' Manjrekar added.
Although Virat Kohli has one of the best records against Australia in Test cricket, Manjrekar penned out clear expectation that will be required from Kohli, seeing that the Pat Cummins-led side will come up with some concrete plans. 'Virat knows exactly what's going to be planned. They'll obviously start with that line outside the off-stump and gauge what his mood is. Generally these days he looks to leave balls outside the off-stump and if they have anything that's pitched right up, he'll look to drive,' Manjrekar added.
