‘There is no confirmation, hopefully he’ll be available’ – Gautam Gambhir on Rohit Sharma’s availability in Perth Test

As Rohit Sharma is expecting his second child with wife Ritika Sajdeh, he is allegedly expected to miss the first Test match between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which starts on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

According to media sources on Sunday, November 10, the Indian skipper is probably going to remain in the country and not accompany the squad to Australia on November 11. His absence from the series opener is essentially confirmed by this.

There is no proof that Rohit won’t be available for the match in Perth, though, according to head coach Gautam Gambhir, who made his first media appearance since India’s humiliating defeat by New Zealand earlier this month. From the very first game, the former India cricket player anticipates that the Mumbai hitter would lead the squad.

“No confirmation exists.” We’ll notify you. With luck, he will be available. Before India left for Perth, Gambhir informed media in Mumbai, “They’ll tell you everything by the beginning of the series.”

Is Rohit Sharma able to overcome his Test battles?

This year, Rohit is only averaging a pitiful 29.40 in Test cricket. Since 2018, when he averaged 26.28 in the game’s longest format, this is his lowest average in a calendar year. Rohit could only muster 91 runs from six innings at 15.17 in the last three-match series against the Blackcaps.

The 37-year-old’s Test record in Australia is not very impressive. At a 31.38 average, he has amassed 408 runs in 14 innings. Three half-centuries have been achieved by him in Australia. India last went on a Test series tour to Australia in 2020–21. 129 runs at 32.25 were achieved by Rohit during the third and fourth Test matches.

The selectors have overlooked players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, therefore India will enter the tournament with a rather inexperienced squad.

Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah to lead India in Rohit Sharma’s absence: Gautam Gambhir

India is hoping to turn around their World Test Championship (WTC) fortunes, thus Rohit will need to stand up and lead the team from the front this time.