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The first Test of the 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is scheduled to take place at Optus Stadium in Perth from November 22.
Jasprit Bumrah will lead India if Rohit Sharma misses 1st Test in Perth. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Indian men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that star pacer Jasprit Bumrah will lead the Indian team in the first Test against Australia if Rohit Sharma misses it due to personal reasons.
While speaking to reporters in the pre-departure press conference for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Mumbai on Monday (November 11), Gambhir said, “Bumrah is the vice captain. So obviously he will (captain) if Rohit is not available. He is going to lead in Perth.”
The first Test between India and Australia is scheduled to take place at Optus Stadium in Perth from November 22 onwards.
Bumrah has served as India’s Test captain in the past. He made his red-ball debut as India captain on July 1, 2022, against England during the rescheduled Test played at Edgbaston. However, in that match, he failed to lead India to a win over the English team.
‘Rohit doubtful’
Rohit, who led India to a 2-1 series win over Australia in the last edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy played in February-March 2023 in India, is expected to miss the first Test due to personal reasons.
He is reportedly not travelling to Australia with the Indian team as well on Monday and is expected to join the side in the coming days.
During the press conference, Gambhir was asked about Rohit’s availability for the Perth Test, to which he said that at the moment there is no clarity but he expects the 37-year-old right-handed batter to play.
“At the moment, there is no confirmation. But we guys will let you know exactly what the situation would be. Hopefully, he is going to be available. But everything you will get to know only before the start of the series.”
If Rohit skips the first Test, India will not only miss his captaincy but will also have to search for a new opening batter. According to Gambhir, KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran are in line to play for India as an opener in Rohit’s absence, but any decision on who will open the innings will be taken only after clarity over Rohit’s participation.
“There’s Abhimanyu Easwaran; there’s KL (Rahul). So we will take a call closer to the first Test match if Rohit is not available. There are quite a few options in the squad. So, once it gets closer to the first Test match, we will plan the best playing XI, which is going to do the job for us,” Gambhir said.
