The Indian cricket team left for Australia on Sunday night for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but captain Rohit Sharma stayed behind. He’s in India for the birth of his second child, expected in the third week of November. This means Rohit is likely to miss the first Test, scheduled for November 22 in Perth.

Originally, there was hope he might fly out closer to the match date, but reports now say he’ll stay in India for now. “Rohit Sharma won’t travel with the team,” a source told India Today. “There were suggestions he might go, but with the delivery expected soon, he’s staying.”

Leadership Shuffle and WTC Stakes

India recently suffered a home series defeat to New Zealand, so the upcoming series against Australia is crucial for their World Test Championship (WTC) chances. They’ll need to win four Tests to qualify directly for the WTC final in 2025.

With Rohit’s absence, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead in the first Test. Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed, “If Rohit isn’t available, Bumrah will lead the team in Perth.” Cricket legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Ricky Ponting have backed Bumrah for the role, with Ponting noting that Bumrah’s experience and leadership as a bowler will be crucial.

Key Players Arrive as Excitement Builds

Players like Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar, Sarfaraz Khan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal left for Australia on Sunday, with more set to join soon. Rohit’s presence remains uncertain, but if he can’t join, India has backup options like Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul ready to step up. The series opener in Perth promises a fresh, exciting chapter for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with India aiming to put their best foot forward.

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