Jasprit Bumrah is set to captain the Indian cricket team in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, beginning November 22 in Perth. Regular skipper Rohit Sharma will miss the match as he plans to spend time with his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, following the birth of their second child.
According to a report from Indian Express, Rohit has informed the BCCI of his unavailability for the first Test but is expected to rejoin the squad for the second Test in Adelaide. A BCCI official confirmed, “Rohit will fly to Australia in time for the pink-ball Test as there is a nine-day gap between the first and second matches.”
Nitish Kumar Reddy Likely to Debut
The report also suggested that all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy might receive his maiden Test cap in Perth. The team management is considering Reddy as a fourth seam option, given the pitch’s potential for extra bounce. While India has pacers like Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna in the squad, Reddy’s inclusion as a fast-bowling all-rounder offers balance to the team. His ability to contribute both with the ball and the bat makes him a strong candidate for the role.
KL Rahul Returns to Batting Practice
India’s preparations for the first Test received a boost with KL Rahul’s return to batting. During an intra-squad simulation on Friday, Rahul suffered an injury after being struck on his right elbow by a delivery from Prasidh Krishna, forcing him to retire hurt. The injury raised concerns as he did not bat for the remainder of the day or the following one.
However, on Sunday, Rahul resumed training at the WACA Stadium, where he spent an hour batting on the center wicket before moving to the nets for further practice. His recovery is a positive development for the team as they gear up for the first Test.
With Bumrah at the helm, the potential debut of Nitish Kumar Reddy, and KL Rahul’s return to form, India looks to make a strong start to the Test series against Australia.
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