India captain Rohit Sharma has cast doubt on his availability for the first Test match against Australia in Perth, citing personal reasons. He mentioned, “Right now, I am not too sure whether I’ll be going, but let’s see. Fingers crossed” ¹ ² ³. This uncertainty has sparked concerns, especially given the significance of the series, as India needs to win at least 4-0 to secure a spot in the World Test Championship final ¹ ² ³.
Rohit’s potential absence would be a significant blow, as he’s been the backbone of the Indian Test team. If he doesn’t play, Jasprit Bumrah is likely to take over as captain ¹ ² ³. The reasons behind Rohit’s potential absence are rooted in personal commitments, with reports suggesting that he and his wife are expecting their second child around the same time as the first Test ².
The Indian team has already faced a setback after losing 3-0 to New Zealand at home and will need to regroup quickly to face the challenges of the Australian series. Rohit’s leadership and opening batting slot are pivotal, and his potential replacement, Abhimanyu Easwaran, lacks the experience and stature Sharma brings to the team ².
