India National Cricket Team skipper Rohit Sharma has made the decision to skip the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
In the absence of Rohit Sharma, the designated vice-captain, Jasprit Bumrah, will be leading the Indian team in the first Test in Perth, which is scheduled to begin on November 22.
Devdutt Paddikal asked to stay back with the Test team
Rohit Sharma didn’t travel with Team India to Australia and stayed back in Mumbai to be with his family due to the birth of his second child, a baby boy.
On November 15, the Sharma family welcomed the baby boy and it was expected that the Indian skipper would instantly leave for Australia to feature in the first Test.
However, according to the latest report in the Indian Express, Rohit Sharma has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he needs some more time with his wife.
With Rohit Sharma declaring his unavailability and Shubman Gill ruled out of the first Test due to a fractured thumb, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee has told Devdutt Paddikal, who was touring with the India A squad, to stay back in Australia.
The young batter, who has already featured in Test cricket for India, will be added to the main squad in the absence of Rohit Sharma.
We were hoping that Rohit Sharma will travel but… – BCCI official
According to the Indian Express, the Board of Control for Cricket in India selectors were hoping that Rohit Sharma would take part in the first Test match, but the Indian skipper had other plans.
Rohit, meanwhile, will be available for the second Test match, which will be played in Adelaide from December 6.
“We were hoping that he (Rohit) will travel but he has informed the BCCI that he can’t go now as he needs some more time. He will be flying to Australia for the pink-ball Test match, the second match, in Adelaide. There is a nine-day gap between the first and second Test matches, so Rohit will be able to be there on time,” a BCCI official confirmed.
