Rohit Sharma’s absence from the first Test against Australia due to the birth of his second child could be a crucial aspect in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. As one of India’s most experienced and reliable batters, his unavailability raises questions about the balance of the team, especially given the high stakes of the series.
Sharma’s leadership role, combined with his ability to anchor the innings in challenging conditions, has been pivotal to India. His absence means the team will likely have KL Rahul open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal when the series gets underway on November 22.
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It is not the first time India will be without the skipper for a crucial series in Australia. Virat Kohli, too, had missed the last three Tests of the 2020-21 tour. In his place Ajinkya Rahane held the captaincy role.
This time, as Rohit and Ritika welcome a baby boy, Jasprit Bumrah has stepped up in the leadership role. How Team India coach Gautam Gambhir and the think tank deals with Rohit’s absence is going to be a challenge.
Ravi Shastri, who was coach of that 2020-21 series-winning side, urged the Indian team and Gambhir to take the absence in their stride while focusing on what they have at their disposal.
“I mean you cannot… These are some things that happen naturally. It’s beyond your (control). Nothing you can do with it. You have to think forward. Think what you have the best in hand and adapt accordingly. That’s something that is not in your hand, you’ve got the ammunition, you’ve got the players and you’ve got the guys with experience,” said Shastri in response to a query by TimesofIndia.com on the Star Sports Press Room.
“So it’s important from Gautam’s point of view that he motivates them to go on and take on Australia in this Test match,” he added.
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Another player who will be missing from the field, for the entire duration, but occupy a spot in the commentary box instead is Cheteshwar Pujara. The middle-order batter, who has been a thorn in Australia’s back over the years will hold the microphone while commenting in Hindi for the broadcaster.
Pujara, who stood defiantly to 1258 balls and 928 balls in the last two trips to Australia, while scoring 792 runs in total, will be a big absence.
Who can be his replacement? “Pujara is Pujara. Please don’t compare Pujara with anyone. People used to do puja to Pujara in series against Australia. Aap khade rahe, hum series jeetege. So don’t compare. Now what he did is outstanding. But from my point of view, I’m very happy because he’ll come to Australia and I get to see him again. He’s out of the dressing room and I’m also out of the dressing room,” stated Shastri.
“When you look at this team, when you look at the experience, who has got the technique, I think KL Rahul, if he gets off to a good start in the Test, he is someone who can bat long. He’s got runs overseas as well in the past. He’s not a first-timer to Australia, this is his third tour. So it’s important that he believes in his ability and gets off to a good start and then he has the kind of game where he can play for long periods of time. But Puji, there’s only one Puji,” clarified the former India player.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy gets underway on November 22 in Perth.