Why is Rohit Sharma not playing India vs Australia 1st Test at Perth

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is expected to rejoin the national squad in Adelaide ahead of the much-anticipated second Test against Australia, which will be played with the pink ball. Sources suggest the captain might also participate in the warm-up game, ensuring match fitness before the crucial encounter of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Why is Rohit Sharma not playing India vs Australia 1st Test?

Rohit had taken a short break from international duties to be with his family for the birth of his second child.

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He had informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selectors about his unavailability during the initial phase of the series. Despite this, Rohit kept the door open for an earlier return, depending on his commitments.

The opening combination is now under the spotlight, with KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran leading the race to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top. Left-handed batter Devdutt Padikkal, who has shown promise in domestic cricket, is also being considered after being asked to remain with the squad.

What BGT mean for India’s chances in the World Test Championship?

Rohit’s leadership and form will be critical as India aims to secure a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final. The team must win four of the upcoming five Tests to strengthen their position. The Adelaide Test, being a pink-ball affair, adds an extra layer of intrigue, with conditions likely to favor pacers.

India, still reeling from their recent series defeat against New Zealand, will be eager to bounce back. The performance of senior players like Rohit and Virat Kohli will be crucial in silencing critics. The team is also considering adding a pace-bowling all-rounder to bolster the balance, with Harshit Rana and Nitish Reddy emerging as potential options after their impressive IPL performances.

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