India captain Rohit Sharma might skip the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024 opening test in Perth for personal reasons. If Rohit is unable to join the team, Abhimanyu Easwaran might step in as a replacement for the first test.
After a heartbreaking 3-0 series defeat against New Zealand at home, the test captain commented that Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team in the series opener before Rohit returns for the second game on December 06.
“I am not sure of my availability for the first Test in Perth,” Rohit Sharma said. The skipper is facing criticism for the series defeat against Kiwis at home and took the responsibility saying his captaincy and batting weren’t up to the mark.
While asked about who will be succeeding Rohit Sharma on test captaincy, Rohit said he doesn’t look that far ahead and focus on the next task.
“It is important to focus on the Australia Test series instead of thinking about what lies ahead for us after the tour.
“I’m not going to look beyond the Australia series. We will try to perform well in the games against Australia,” he added.
After the test series defeat, India moved to the second position while Australia moved to the top in the WTC points table. The significance of the Border Gavaskar Trophy has heightened following India’s recent series defeat.
On October 25, BCCI announced the India squad for the Border Gavaskar Trophy where Mohammed Shami was dropped as the management didn’t want to urge him into the action.
Both India and Australia are determined to secure a victory in the upcoming five-match test to enhance the qualification scenario more easily to make it to the finals.
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.
