Rohit Sharma, who is not expected to feature in the series opener of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, will join the Indian team in Perth on Sunday, November 24, which is Day 3 of the Test. The Indian captain is scheduled to fly out soon and will be available for the second Test at the Adelaide Oval, starting December 6.
Rohit’s arrival in Perth is a significant boost for India, who will be led by vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah at the Optus Stadium for the first Test, beginning Friday. Rohit had initially stayed back in India for the birth of his second child, a baby boy born on November 15. Despite the tight schedule, Rohit was considered a potential participant in the first Test.
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Although the BCCI had not made an official statement, it became clear that Rohit wouldn’t play in the Perth Test. However, with the gap between the first and second Tests, Rohit is expected to be fully ready for the pink-ball day-night Test. A source confirmed that Rohit has informed the BCCI about his travel plans: “Rohit is slated to leave Mumbai on the 23rd and will reach Perth on the 24th. Upon arrival, he will work with the coaching staff to prepare for the Adelaide Test. He is available for the practice game in Canberra.”
India will play a two-day warm-up match against Prime Ministers XI at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on November 30, their second practice match of the tour after a recent intra-squad simulation match. During Thursday’s pre-match press conference, Bumrah briefly mentioned Rohit but focused more on seeking advice from his former Mumbai Indians captain for his leadership role. “I spoke with Rohit earlier, but I got a little bit of clarity on leading the side after coming in here,” he said. Bumrah has captained India in only one Test before, a loss to England in 2022 at Birmingham.
