Rohit Sharma not travelling with India to Australia ahead of BGT 2024-25
"Yes, Rohit is not travelling with the team, but don't rule him out of the first Test as yet. He may end up flying to Australia later in the third week, closer to the first Test," a source said.
India skipper Rohit Sharma was confirmed not to be travelling with the Indian team down under for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series 2024-25. There had been reports of Rohit not travelling with the Indian team ahead of the first Test of the BGT 2024-25 as he and his wife are expecting the birth of their second child.
It is noteworthy that India will kick off the BGT 2024-25 by taking on Australia in Perth on November 22. However, with Rohit Sharma not travelling, there have been reports that he might still end up playing the first Test in Perth.
"Yes, Rohit is not travelling with the team, but don't rule him out of the first Test as yet. He may end up flying to Australia later in the third week, closer to the first Test," a BCCI source was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
It is worth noting that the Indian team is scheduled to depart for Australia in two batches on Sunday and Monday. Furthermore, suffering a whitewash in their own backyard against New Zealand, India's chances of reaching the World Test Championship final in 2025 have slimmed down.
Rohit Sharma and his men will have to win four Tests against Australia in the BGT 2024-25 to directly qualify for the WTC final.
He will lead in Perth: Gambhir
With reports of Rohit Sharma not playing the first BGT Test, there have been many discussions over who would lead India in Rohit’s absence. Ahead of the first Test, India head coach Gautam Gambhir took centre stage and revealed that ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will lead India in Rohit’s absence.
"Bumrah is vice captain; if Rohit is not available, he is going to be lead in Perth,” Gambhir said in the press conference before India’s departure to Australia. Furthermore, Gambhir also talked about who would play in Rohit’s absence if he missed the first Test.
“There is no confirmation on Rohit as of now, hopefully he will play. We will let you know before the series. We have Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul in the squad so we will play the best XI and take the call before the first Test,” Gambhir said.
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