India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir left fans in suspense regarding Rohit Sharma’s availability for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, set to begin on November 22 in Perth. Gambhir indicated that the decision on Rohit’s participation is yet to be finalized, although he hopes the captain will be able to lead the team from the first match.
Reports emerged on Sunday suggesting that Rohit might miss the first Test to stay back in India, as he and his wife Ritika Sajdeh are expecting their second child. However, speaking to the media in Mumbai ahead of the team’s departure, Gambhir clarified that nothing is confirmed regarding Rohit’s absence. “There is no confirmation. We’ll let you know. Hopefully, he’ll be available,” Gambhir said, hinting at a possible last-minute update.
KL Rahul vs. Abhimanyu Easwaran as Possible Replacements
If Rohit is unavailable for the opener in Perth, India is considering KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran as potential replacements. Gambhir confirmed that either Rahul or Easwaran could be tapped to fill Rohit’s spot if needed.
Abhimanyu Easwaran, the Bengal opener, earned a second call-up to the India Test squad after an impressive first-class season, where he struck four centuries in as many matches across three tournaments. His strong domestic performance made him a natural choice as a backup for Rohit.
Rahul, who was previously viewed as a middle-order option, was also sent early to Australia to open for an India A game, marking a shift in his role and placing him in direct competition with Easwaran. Although both players returned with low scores, Gambhir noted that the team will decide on the best XI closer to the opening match.
Gambhir emphasized that the team’s focus is on performing well in every series, regardless of past results, and he expressed confidence in India’s preparation as they look ahead to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting with the first Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
