India’s cricket team faces a significant challenge in their upcoming five-Test series against Australia, which begins on November 22 in Perth. However, the team may be without their captain, Rohit Sharma, for one of the first two Tests due to personal reasons.
Rohit has communicated this possibility to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). While there is no certainty yet, it is expected that Rohit might miss either the first Test in Perth or the second one in Adelaide, which is scheduled for December 6-10.
Uncertainty Surrounds Rohit’s Availability
According to sources within the BCCI, Rohit Sharma’s participation in the early part of the series remains unclear. “There isn’t complete clarity about the situation.
Rohit has informed the BCCI about a personal matter, which may require him to skip one of the two opening Tests,” a BCCI official revealed. However, if the issue is resolved before the series starts, Rohit may still play in all five matches. The Indian cricket board is expected to have more information about his availability in the coming days.
Possible Replacements and Vice-Captaincy Options
If Rohit does miss a match, the in-form Abhimanyu Easwaran is likely to step in as his replacement. Easwaran, who is set to lead the India A team in Australia, is a strong contender, although seasoned openers like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul are also potential options.
Meanwhile, the question of who will serve as vice-captain remains unresolved, as no official deputy was named during the recent series against Bangladesh. Possible candidates include Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, who has captained in Tests before, and Rishabh Pant.
Abhishek Nayar, a former cricketer and coach, believes the team has several players capable of taking on leadership roles, even without a formally designated vice-captain.
“Many of these players have led their IPL franchises, so they have the necessary leadership experience,” Nayar said, highlighting that players like Gill, Pant, and possibly Yashasvi Jaiswal are ready for greater responsibility. Nayar added, “These players have matured mentally and developed leadership qualities, so there is no pressing need for a specific vice-captain.”
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