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Rohit Sharma is expected to miss the first Test of the upcoming five-match Test series between India and Australia due to personal reasons.
Rohit Sharma reacts to Aaron Finch’s comment defending Rohit Sharma for taking break during to personal reasons. (Picture Credit: AFP, Instagram)
Indian men’s cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is all set to miss the first Test of the upcoming five-match series between India and Australia. The series opener of the 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is scheduled to take place at Perth Stadium from November 22 onwards. It has been reported that Rohit will miss the first Test due to personal reasons.
After Rohit cast doubts over his participation in the Perth Test last week, former India captain and legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar said India should appoint Jasprit Bumrah as captain for the entire series and Rohit should join the side later only as a player.
“We have been hearing that Rohit Sharma will miss the first two Tests. If this is the case, the selection committee should tell him to look at his personal issues and return as a player. The decision-makers should promote vice captain as captain,” Gavaskar had told Sports Tak.
Gavaskar’s comment on Rohit was rejected by former Australia’s white-ball captain Aaron Finch, who said that if Rohit is going to be a father, then he should be allowed to stay with his wife.
“I disagree with Sunny. Rohit Sharma is the skipper of the Indian cricket team. Having a baby is a beautiful moment, and one should be allowed to stay with his wife as long as he wants,” Finch told ESPNcricinfo.
Rohit’s wife, Ritika Sajdeh, has now appreciated Finch’s comment. She posted a ‘salute’ emoji tagging the Aussie legend on a post highlighting both Gavaskar and Finch’s statement.
Here’s a look:
It was reported by Sports Tak and Dainik Jagran on Saturday that Rohit is set to travel to Australia with the Indian team on November 10, but there is still no official clarity over his participation in the series opener.
If Rohit misses the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, then in his absence Bumrah will lead the side, and Abhimanyu Easwaran is expected to play as an opening batter. Bumrah has served as India’s Test captain in the past. Under his leadership, India played one Test against England in July 2022 but failed to win that match despite taking a big lead in the first inning.