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The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia is set to be a thrilling contest, but a potential absence of Indian captain Rohit Sharma could significantly impact the series. Reports suggest that Sharma might miss one of the first two Tests due to a pressing personal matter. The news comes as a blow for the Indian team, especially considering their recent dominance in the series, with Australia failing to secure the trophy since 2014/15.
The first Test is scheduled to begin in Perth on November 22nd, followed by a day-night match in Adelaide starting on December 6th. While Sharma has informed the BCCI about the potential absence, there is hope that the personal issue could be resolved before the series commences, allowing him to participate in all five Tests. However, if Sharma's absence does materialize, the Indian team will need to find a suitable replacement and decide on a temporary captain.
In-form batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran is being considered as a potential cover for Sharma. He will be part of the India A team in Australia and could be called up if needed. Other players like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul are also potential opening partners for Yashasvi Jaiswal, should Sharma miss either the Perth or Adelaide Tests. The absence of a designated vice-captain in the recent Bangladesh series adds another layer of complexity. Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul have captained the team in the past in Rohit's absence, but with Gill, Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant all potential candidates, the decision on the captaincy could be a difficult one for the selectors.
The uncertainty surrounding Rohit Sharma's availability and the potential captaincy change add an extra layer of intrigue to the already highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Indian team will be keen to overcome these challenges and maintain their dominance in the series, but their ability to do so will depend heavily on how they adapt to these unforeseen circumstances.