Rohit Sharma to Miss First Test Against Australia: Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma will not be available for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. He informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he needed a little more time with his wife after she gave birth to the couple’s second child earlier this week.
That has set him back in terms of his involvement in the tour but underlines his need to achieve personal goals and balance them with professional commitments. Rohit will join the squad again for the second Test, a pink-ball game in Adelaide, which starts on 6th December.
Jasprit Bumrah Steps Out as Captain
Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead this Indian side instead of Rohit. It marks another achievement for Bumrah as he serves his leadership skills at the international level. The contest gets more exciting as Bumrah is not only an experienced fast bowler but also an essential member of the team.
Such was the void created by Rohit’s absence that selectors did consider retaining Devdutt Padikkal, who had been part of the India A side touring Australia. Padikkal will join the senior squad as a supplementary batting option for the Perth Test.
Another injury blow to the team is Shubman Gill breaking a thumb in the match simulation, and thus ruled out for the first Test. Kl Rahul will replace him in the playing XI. This will be his opportunity to show form and consolidation to himself in the batting line-up.
Read more Rohit Sharma Steals the Show at Wimbledon 2024
Dhruv Jurel Hopes for a Test Debut
Wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel might feature only as a batsman in his Test debut. Jurel made a solid impression with scores of 80 and 64 in a recent tour game against Australia A. Such decent technique and assured presence at the crease could bolster India’s fragile batting lineup that went to pieces during the recent home series against New Zealand.
However the Indian Test team is going to face a stern test after the series loss to New Zealand was completed 0-3. A full tour against Australia is likely to be crucial in rebuilding confidence and reputation. Its tests in these iconic places – Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney – will test the backs of the team that suffered from batting collapses recently.
Jasprit Bumrah is going to lead the side for the first time in this series and the emergence of Padikkal and Jurel indicates a new era for Indian cricket. Rohit Sharma returns to the middle order with his team desiring to regain their footing and momentum to end the series on the winning note. Now it is Perth: the test of India’s intent and resilience.
