Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma’s participation in the upcoming Test series against Australia remains uncertain, as he is not expected to travel with the team to Australia for the first match. According to reports, Rohit’s absence is due to personal reasons.
The Indian squad is scheduled to depart for Australia in two batches on Sunday and Monday, but Rohit’s travel plans are still up in the air. Head coach Gautam Gambhir will address the media in a pre-departure press conference in Mumbai on Monday, where he is expected to provide an update on Rohit’s status.
If Rohit misses the first Test, which begins on November 22 in Perth, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is likely to lead the team. Bumrah has been backed by Australian batting great Ricky Ponting to handle the dual responsibility of leading the team and spearheading the Indian pace attack.
Ponting believes that Bumrah’s experience and understanding of the game will enable him to manage the captaincy duties effectively. He also emphasized the importance of utilizing the experience of senior players in the team to support the captain.
The Indian team will be hoping for Rohit to recover in time for the first Test, as his presence would provide a significant boost to their chances of success. However, if he is unable to play, Bumrah will be tasked with leading the team in one of the most challenging Test series in world cricket.