There’s a possibility that Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will not be available for the opening test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy due to personal reasons which is not the ideal position for the Indian team as their hopes to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship completely depends on the result of BGT.
After the final test match against New Zealand Rohit said: “Right now, I am not too sure whether I’ll be going, but let’s see. Fingers crossed.”
India’s legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar believes that if Rohit Sharma is not available for the first two test matches of BGT, Jasprit Bumrah the vice-captain of the Indian test team should lead the team for the entire test series and Rohit can later on join the team as a player. He also said that this series against Australia is very important for India after the disappointing loss against the Kiwis on their home soil, he also stated that the Indian team needs a leader right now who can unite them as a team and work on their mistakes.
“It is important for the captain to play the first Test match. It’s different if he is injured, but if he is not available, then the deputy leader will be under a lot of pressure,” Gavaskar said. “I have been reading that Rohit Sharma might not play the first two Tests of the Australia series. I feel that, in that case, the selection committee should appoint Jasprit Bumrah as the captain of the side for the entire Australia tour, and tell Rohit Sharma that you will participate as a player in this series. For the first Test match, Rohit Sharma has to be there,” he added.
Bumrah had led India in just one test match against England in Birmingham in 2022 which they lost, it will be challenging for India to win the test series against the Aussies in their backyard without their main bowler Mohammad Shami who is in recovery from ankle surgery and recently his knee swelling has created doubt about his availability for the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Harsha Bhogle also revealed during commentary of the 3rd test between India and New Zealand, “He might miss the first Test, hearing that there might be a new addition in his family,” said the commentator.
Gavaskar’s prediction for BGT
Gavaskar finds it difficult for the Indian side to defeat Australia by 4-0, he wants the Indian team not to focus on the WTC final but to work hard for the BGT first. “No, I don’t. I actually don’t. India cannot beat Australia 4-0 in the Test series. If they do that, I would be over the moon if they do that. But 4-0. India can win 3-1, 4-0 is… don’t talk about the World Test Championship final. Now just focus on trying to win the series in Australia. Never mind whether you win 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 3-1, 2-1. But go and win. Because that is how all of us Indian cricket fans are going to be back to feeling good again,” Gavaskar said.
India will lock horns with Australia on 22 November at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Jasir Basharat is a cricket enthusiast capturing the heart of the game through insightful analysis and storytelling sharing his passion for the sport through engaging narratives. He is a business graduate from University of Kashmir.
