Ahead of the team India’s departure to Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has provided an update on Rohit Sharma’s availablity for 1st test.
After the series defeat against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma has revealed that he is likely to miss the first test against Australia due to personal reasons.
With high speculations raised on Rohit Sharma’s availability, Gambhir answered the question ahead of India’s departure to Australia.
“Look, at the moment, there is no confirmation. We’ll let you guys know what the situation is. Hopefully, he is going to be available. But everything you will get to know at the start of the series,” Gambhir said in the press conference.
Gambhir also highlighted the backup options India have in case Rohit misses the test at Perth.
“Obviously, there is Easwaran, there is KL Rahul. We will take a call ahead of the 1st Test if Rohit is unavailable. There are options there. It’s not like there are no options. Once we get closer to the 1st Test, we will try and put in the best playing XI,” he added.
Abhimanyu Easwaran didn’t have a great outing in the Australian soil as he scored only low scores for India A against Australia A. KL Rahul was also given a chance to open in the 2nd match for India A.
He also hailed KL Rahul for his ability to perform at any position for the team and backed him to do the job at the top of the order.
“You go with experienced players as well. I think that is the quality of a man that he can actually bat at the top of the order.”
“You can batter at number three, and he can actually bat in sixth position as well. So you need quite a lot of talent to be doing these kinds of jobs as well, and he kept pickets in a one-day format as well.”
So imagine how many countries have players like KL Rahul who can actually open the batting and can bat at number six as well. So I feel that if needed to be, I think he can do the job for us, especially if Rohit is not available for the first Test match,” Gambhir said.
The five-match test series will kickstart on November 22 while the second test will be played on a day-night format under the stadium lights starting on December 06.
The third test will be played in the Gabba which will be held between December 14-18. The fourth test will be played between December 26-30 at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The fifth and final test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7 will give a promising dramatic conclusion for the exciting contest.
