In a major blow to India's preparations, captain Rohit Sharma is likely to miss the opening Test match against Australia later this year. The star batter is reportedly looking to skip one of the opening two games against Australia in the highly-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy in November-December 2024.
India is hosting New Zealand in the three-match Test series starting on October 22 and then will take on Australia in five Tests starting on December 22 in Perth. According to a report from the PTI, the Indian stalwart has informed the BCCI of his potential absence from the first or second game against Australia.
"There isn't any complete clarity about the situation," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. "It is understood that Rohit has intimated to the BCCI that there is a possibility that due to a pressing personal matter, he might have to skip one of the two Tests at the beginning of the series.
"In case, the personal issue is sorted before the start of the series, he might play all five Tests. We will get to know more in the coming days."
The 37-year-old Indian opener struggled for runs in the recent 2-0 Test series win against Bangladesh at home but he remains one of the most reliable batters in overseas conditions in red-ball cricket. India currently lack a reliable opening option to replace Rohit and might add Ruturaj Gaikwad or Abhimanyu Easwaran as backups for the Australia tour.
The five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy is likely to decide India and Australia's fate for the World Test Championship 2025 final. The last edition's finalists are favourites to make the finals again with the joint-highest 8 wins each in the 2023-25 cycle.
India have been tipped favourites to beat Australia having last lost the BGT series in 2014-15. Australia are also sweating over the fitness on their star all-rounder Cameron Green for the BGT series and have to sort out their first-choice opening pair in Tests since the retirement of David Warner.
