Rohit Sharma must play only as player, not captain if he misses IND vs AUS 1st Test: Gavaskar

After Rohit Sharma hinted at missing IND vs AUS 1st Test in Perth, Sunil Gavaskar has suggested the selection committee to name a new captain for the series

Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has suggested pacer Jasprit Bumrah be named the captain for IND vs AUS Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Test skipper Rohit Sharma hinted at being unavailable for the 1st Test which will get underway from November 22. Gavaskar said that majority of the pressure would be on the vice-captain if Rohit chooses to skip the first Test and instead suggested the board to name Bumrah as the captain instead.

Gavaskar wants Bumrah as skipper for IND vs AUS Tests, not Rohit Sharma

Speaking on Sports Tak, Sunil Gavaskar reckoned that there would be a lot of pressure on Rohit Sharma‘s deputy if he chooses to miss the 1st Test and returns for the remainder of the series. He claimed that while Rohit can return to the side at any point of time in the series, the BCCI should announce a different captain for the whole series.

“As a captain, it is important for him to play the 1st Test. If the leader isn’t available for the 1st game itself, then there is a lot of pressure on the deputy. Taking up captaincy will not be easy for him. If he is bound to miss the first two matches, then Rohit Sharma should return only as a player and the selection committee must announce a new captain,” Gavaskar said.

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Gavaskar went on to claim that it was important for Rohit Sharma to take part in IND vs AUS 1st Test, especially after the 3-0 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand. The series loss at home has put India’s chances of making it to their third consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final in jeopardy. India will now have to win the series against Australia at any cost if they wish to punch a ticket to Lord’s in June 2025.

Why will Rohit Sharma miss IND vs AUS 1st Test?

“I am not sure at this point about taking part in the Perth Test,” a dejected Rohit Sharma told after the mighty loss in Mumbai. In fact, if various reports are to be believed, his wife Ritika Sajdeh is expecting the birth of their second child, around that time. Call it slip of tongue, but Abhinav Mukund mentioned this on AIR, during the post-match broadcast on Jio.