In a significant development ahead of the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is set to miss the first Test against Australia, scheduled to begin on November 22, 2024, at the iconic WACA Stadium in Perth. The news comes on the heels of the birth of Rohit’s second child with his wife, Ritika Sajdeh. The couple welcomed their baby boy on November 15, 2024, and Rohit has opted to spend more time with his family during this special moment2.
SOURCE : ZEE
In RoHit’s absence, India’s premier fast bowler and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is likely to take over the captaincy duties4. While Bumrah has previously led India in select matches, taking charge in a high-stakes Test series against Australia will be a significant challenge. However, Rohit’s unavailability poses a bigger question for India’s batting line-up, especially at the top order.
Source:- bbc news
To compound India’s troubles, opening batsman Shubman Gill is reportedly doubtful for the first Test due to a finger injury he sustained during an intra-squad practice match in Perth6. According to reports, Gill injured his finger while fielding in the slips. Though the injury’s severity is not officially confirmed yet, initial reports suggest that he might have fractured his thumb, putting his participation in the Perth Test in serious jeopardy.
If both Rohit and Gill miss out, India will face a selection dilemma, especially in the opening department. While Devdutt Padikkal has been retained as a backup in Australia, the lack of experience in facing the fiery Australian pace attack on bouncy Perth pitches could prove to be a challenge for him. Potential options include promoting the seasoned KL Rahul to open alongside Padikkal, or giving a chance to other reserve batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal or Abhimanyu Easwaran, both of whom have been in good form in domestic cricket.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy holds significant importance for India, especially after their recent 0-3 series defeat against New Zealand at home. With the World Test Championship (WTC) final spot slipping from their grasp, India needs nothing short of a miracle to secure a place in the final. To qualify, India must pull off an unprecedented 4-0 series whitewash against Australia on their home turf—a feat never achieved before4. However, India has a history of defying the odds in Australia, especially with their historic series victories in 2020-21 and 2018-19.
As India gears up for the challenging tour of Australia, the focus will be on how the team adapts to these early setbacks. With their World Test Championship dreams on the line, India will need to regroup quickly and find the right balance to counter the Australian juggernaut. Will they manage to overcome these hurdles and keep their WTC hopes alive? Only time will tell as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy unfolds.
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