Rohit Sharma to miss the first test vs Australia, Bumrah to lead India
Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma is set to miss the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Perth, starting November 22, due to personal reasons. Jasprit Bumrah has been chosen to lead the team in his absence. This will be Bumrah’s second time captaining India, following his leadership during the fifth Test of the England series in 2022. The Test will also mark the start of a crucial five-match series as both teams vie for a spot in the World Test Championship final.
Rohit’s absence comes as he and his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, recently welcomed their second child. While Rohit plans to join the squad for the later matches, his unavailability creates an opportunity for players like Abhimanyu Easwaran to potentially step into the opening role alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. India’s lineup is already facing challenges, with Shubman Gill ruled out due to injury.
India is aiming for a historic third consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophy win in Australia, building on their victories in 2019 and 2021. This series is critical, as India currently tops the WTC points table, and a strong performance could solidify their position for the 2025 final
