MUMBAI: Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma will not travel with the Indian team to Australia for the Border Gavaskar series Down Under.
However, there is still a possibility of The 37-year-old, set to become a father for the second time soon, playing in the first of the five Tests against Australia at Perth from November 22.
“Yes, Rohit is not travelling with the team, but don’t rule him out of the first Test as yet. He may end up flying to Australia later third week, closer to the first Test,” a source in the BCCI told TOI on Sunday.
Team India is scheduled to depart to Australia in two batches on Sunday and Monday.
Earlier, Rohit had hinted at missing the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth owing to personal reasons. If Rohit misses the first Test, ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will captain the side.
India need to win 4 Tests in Australia to directly qualify for the World Test Championships final that is scheduled to be held at Lord’s in June 2025.