Rohit Sharma to travel with Team India for Australia Tests
Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma will travel with the squad to Australia on November 10. This comes amid speculation over his participation in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy owing to personal reasons. However, even as he prepares to leave, Rohit's participation in the first match at Perth remains uncertain. India are looking for options in Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul as Yashasvi Jaiswal's opening partner incase Rohit misses the match.
Rohit's participation in 1st Test remains uncertain
Rohit has confirmed that he will be among the first batch of Indian players leaving for Australia. However, his presence doesn't ensure his participation in the Perth Test. "He is traveling but his participation in the first Test is yet not confirmed," a source told India Today. Ultimately, it will be a personal decision for Rohit to return home before the match begins.
Rohit's availability for Perth Test: Here's what he said
After the New Zealand Test series, Rohit had said he wasn't sure if he would be available for the Perth match. "I am not sure of my availability for the first Test in Perth, fingers crossed," he had said. This only adds to the speculation of him playing the opening fixture of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
BCCI holds meeting to discuss team's performance
Rohit had recently attended a six-hour meeting with BCCI selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir. The talks revolved around India's performance, including their 0-3 defeat against New Zealand. The meeting also discussed why pace spearhead and team's vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah was rested for the third Test, and the team's decision to go for a rank turner despite previous struggles on such surfaces.
Gavaskar suggests Bumrah as captain in Rohit's absence
Responding to rumors of Rohit missing the first two Tests, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar advised the selection committee to appoint Jasprit Bumrah as captain. He suggested the change to keep the team united if Rohit isn't available to lead the side at the start of the series. "The captain has to unite the team. If there is no captain in the beginning, it is better to make someone else the captain," Gavaskar said.
