Rohit Sharma, India’s Test captain, is set to travel to Australia with the rest of the Test squad ahead of their much-anticipated series. However, his participation in the first Test match against Australia, scheduled for November 22 in Perth, remains uncertain due to a personal matter. Although Sharma will board the flight with the team, his availability for the series opener will depend on developments surrounding this personal issue. “He is traveling, but his participation in the 1st Test is yet not confirmed. His availability is subject to his personal matter,” a source told India Today.
Following India’s recent 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand at home—a historic defeat that raised concerns about India’s batting approach against spin and the nature of pitches selected—questions are mounting regarding the team’s preparation. Rohit himself addressed the uncertainty surrounding his involvement in the Perth Test after the New Zealand series, saying, “Right now, I am not too sure whether I’ll be going, but let’s see. Fingers crossed.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly taken the recent defeat seriously, holding a six-hour review meeting with Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. The meeting aimed to address the issues raised by India’s loss and discuss strategies for the upcoming Australia series. A BCCI source indicated that the board was not pleased with several recent decisions, including the choice to rest premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the Mumbai Test and the preparation of a spin-friendly pitch despite previous failures on such surfaces.
“Bumrah’s absence was discussed, although it was a precautionary move. Opting for a rank turner despite India not faring well on these tracks are some of the issues that came up for discussion,” the source told PTI.
India’s upcoming Test series against Australia is expected to be a challenging one, with the team under scrutiny following their recent performance. While Rohit Sharma’s availability remains uncertain, fans are hopeful that he will play a crucial role in leading the team back to form.
