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The first Test of the upcoming five-match series between India and Australia is scheduled to take place in Perth from November 22 onwards.
Rohit Sharma is all set to miss 1st Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy. (Picture Credit: AP)
Indian men’s cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is all set to miss the first Test of the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia. While speaking to reporters on Sunday (November 3) after India lost the third Test against New Zealand by 26 runs in Mumbai, Rohit said that he is not sure whether he will travel to Australia for the series opener, which is scheduled to take place in Perth from November 22.
“Not sure whether I will be going, fingers crossed,” Rohit said when asked about his availability for Test series opener in Australia.
It was reported last month that Rohit will miss the first Test due to personal reasons, and in his absence, vice captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side, and Bengal Abhimanyu Easwaran will partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top.
Bumrah has served as India’s Test captain in the past as well. He led India in the rescheduled Test against England, which was played in Birmingham from July 1 to 5 in 2022.
After the series opener in Perth, India will play the second Test in Adelaide on December 6 to 10, and the next three matches are scheduled to take place in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, respectively.
India has won the last four editions of the Border Gavaksar Trophy, two of which were played on Australian soil.
Indian players, who are facing a lot of criticism after producing a forgetful show in the three-match Test series against New Zealand, would like to come up with a big show Down Under to not just complete the hat-trick of series wins but also keep alive India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.
After losing three back-to-back Tests against the Black Caps at home, India has slipped to No. 2 position in the WTC 2023-25 points table. The Rohit Sharma-led side will confirm its place in the WTC final next year if they manage to beat the Baggy Greens in four out of the upcoming five matches.
