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Jasprit Bumrah is reportedly set to lead the Indian team in Rohit Sharma’s absence with KL Rahul opening the batting against Australia in Perth.
Jasprit Bumrah (L) will lead the Indian team and KL Rahul will open the batting. (Image: AP, AFP)
Ahead of the opening Test between India and Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series in Perth, Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead the side in Rohit Sharma’s absence.
According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), Rohit will join the team in Adelaide after spending time with his newborn baby.
India has also received a massive boost with KL Rahul recovering from his elbow injury after taking a blow during a practice game at the WACA ground. The Head Coach, Gautam Gambhir had earlier indicated that Rahul would open the batting in Rohit’s absence.
One major concern is Shubman Gill who picked up a fracture on his thumb and is reportedly ruled out of the Perth Test. The team management has also decided to keep the top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal in Australia as a backup along with three fast bowlers from the India A squad.
The three pacers are Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed and Navdeep Saini, who were all part of the India A squad. The latter also played the Sydney and Brisbane Tests in the previous tour of Australia.
The left-handed batter, with the A-side, scored 36, 88, 26 and 1 during the two unofficial Tests against Australia-A. He also made his Test debut scoring 65 against England in Dharamsala, earlier.
The left-hander was recently named in Karnataka’s squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and had lukewarm outings during the ‘A’ tour, making 36, 88, 26, 1.
“It is more to do with the familiarity with the Australian conditions as they have played here recently,” a source close to the development told PTI.
“Devdutt was highly impressive while facing Jasprit Bumrah at nets, and the management took that also into consideration,” the source added.
Who will take up the number three position remains a concern. If KL Rahul opens the batting with Yashasvi Jaiswal, then there aren’t any sure-shot contenders for the position so far.
In addition, India’s who would take partner Bumrah in the bowling department is yet to be confirmed. The likes of Mohammed Siraj have experience playing in Australian conditions but have been out of form recently. It remains to be seen if the selectors opt for the tried-and-tested route or take a punt at giving a debut to the youngsters.
(with PTI Inputs)
