'There is no confirmation, hopefully he'll be available' - Gautam Gambhir on Rohit Sharma's availability in Perth Test

Rohit Sharma is reportedly set to miss the first Test between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which begins on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth as he is expecting his second child with wife Ritika Sajdeh.

On Sunday (November 10), media reports confirmed that the Indian captain is likely to stay back and not travel with the team to Australia on November 11. This all but confirms his unavailability for the series opener.

However, head coach Gautam Gambhir, who spoke to the media for the first time since India's embarrassing whitewash at the hands of New Zealand earlier this month, asserted that there is no confirmation on Rohit's unavailability for the Perth encounter. The former India cricketer expects the Mumbai batter to be in charge of the team from the first game itself.

“There is no confirmation. We'll let you know. Hopefully, he’ll be available. Everything you’ll get to know by the start of the series,” Gambhir told the reporters in Mumbai ahead of India's departure for Perth.

Can Rohit Sharma overcome Test struggles?

Rohit is averaging a paltry 29.40 in Test cricket this year. This is his lowest average in a calendar year in the longest format of the game since 2018 when he averaged 26.28. In the recently-concluded three-match series against the Blackcaps, Rohit could only manage 91 runs from six innings at 15.17.

Also Read: BGT 2024-25: Gautam Gambhir drops hints of KL Rahul playing Perth Test amid Rohit Sharma’s uncertainty

The 37-year-old does not have a great record in Tests in Australia. In 14 innings, he has scored 408 runs at an average of 31.38. He has scored three half-centuries down under. The last time India toured Australia for a Test series was in 2020-21. Rohit played the third and fourth Tests and scored 129 runs at 32.25.

India are going in with a relatively inexperienced team this year, with the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane being ignored by the selectors. Rohit will have to step up and lead the team from the front this time as India look to revive their World Test Championship (WTC) fortunes.