New Delhi: Rohit Sharma is set to leave for Australia on November 23 and will link-up with the squad during the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth, which gets underway on November 22. The Indian captain didn’t travel with the team which left for Australia in batches on November 10 and 11, and his travel plan became clear only after he and his wife Ritika were blessed with a baby boy.
Rohit continued to train in Mumbai during the period but informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his unavailability for the opening Test of the series in Perth. He wanted to spend more time with his family and new-born before hitting the road again.
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It is understood that Rohit will begin his preparations in Perth itself and will then shift focus to the Day-Night Test which will be played in Adelaide. The 37-year-old has made himself available for the warm-up game in Canberra from November 30.
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In Rohit’s absence, Jasprit Bumrah will be leading India in the Perth Test and KL Rahul is expected to open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal. The visitors have been dealt a severe blow as No.3 Shubman Gill injured his left thumb while fielding during match simulation and is ruled out of the first Test of the series.
On the eve of the first Test, Bumrah spoke about the honour in leading the team, a rarity for a seamer.
“It is an honour. I have my own style. Virat (Kohli) was different, Rohit was different. and I have my own way. It is a privilege. I don’t take it as a position. I love taking responsibility. I spoke with Rohit earlier. But I got a little bit of clarity on leading the side after coming in here,” Bumrah said.
“I have always advocated for pacers being captains. They are tactically better. Pat has done a phenomenal job. There are a lot of models in the past as well. Kapil Dev and lot of other captains in the past. Hopefully a start of a new tradition.”