I hope Rohit goes to Perth soon, team needs leadership: Sourav Ganguly

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly wants Rohit Sharma to leave for the Perth Test as soon as possible. Ahead of the first Border Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia, Ganguly said that he wants the India Test skipper to play the opening match in Perth because the team needs leadership.

It is implausible that the Hitman will play the first Test as he welcomed his second child with Ritika Sajdeh on Friday. According to reports, the birth of his second child was expected to be near the Test match dates, which would have meant that Rohit would miss the first Test to be with his family. 

Speaking to RevSportz, Ganguly said that Ritika has given birth to their child, so the opener could now travel to Australia and get in form ahead of the first Test. "I hope Rohit Sharma goes very soon because the team needs leadership. I believe his wife delivered a baby boy yesterday night, so I am sure he can leave. He can leave as early as possible, and if I were in his position, he should be playing the Perth Test," Ganguly told RevSportz.

"The match is a week away. Because it is a big series, he will not go to Australia after this, he is a fantastic captain. India needs his leadership to start with," the former India captain added.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma, wife Ritika blessed with baby boy

India's top-order struggles ahead of first Test

In a piece of disheartening news, India were dealt with a blow on Friday, November 15 when star India batter Shubman Gill fractured his left thumb while practising which is likely to rule him out from the first Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Gill is India's one of the young heroes from the last BGT triumph and if Rohit doesn't; make it for the first Test, India's top order could look very thin. 

On the second day of the intra-squad match simulation, Gill sustained an injury while fielding. He left the pitch right away for more scans after being observed in significant agony.  With less than a week till the commencement of the Test, it will be extremely difficult for the fashionable right-hander to recover in time for the first game.

Abhimanyu Easwaran could make his Test debut as India do not have many options. KL Rahul also sustained an elbow injury on the first day of the intra-squad match. he was hit by Prasidh Krishna's short ball and was forced to leave the field.