Rohit Sharma to Miss First Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Jasprit Bumrah to Lead India in Perth

India’s much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, which kicks off on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth, will begin without Rohit Sharma at the helm. ESPNcricinfo has confirmed that Rohit, who remained back in India for the birth of his second child, will miss the first Test of the series. He will rejoin the Indian squad ahead of the second Test, a day-night match set to start on December 6 in Adelaide.

Rohit had initially informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the national selectors well in advance of the possibility that he might miss the first Test. While he had kept the option open to travel last minute depending on when his child was born, his wife Ritika gave birth to their second child on Friday, a week before the Test series was set to begin. With the baby arriving early, there was a brief window for Rohit to consider making a rush trip to Perth. However, he confirmed to the BCCI that he would not be available for the first Test and instead would be available for the two-day, pink-ball warm-up game against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI, starting November 30, before the Adelaide Test.

In Rohit’s absence, Jasprit Bumrah, the vice-captain, is set to lead India for the first time in a full Test match. Bumrah, who captained India in one previous Test match—the fifth Test of their 2021-22 series against England at Edgbaston when Rohit tested positive for Covid-19—will now take the reins as India’s leader in Perth. Bumrah, known for his calm under pressure and leadership during IPL stints with Mumbai Indians, will face the dual challenge of leading a team missing two key players from the top-order.

### India to Begin Series Without Two Key Batsmen

The absence of Rohit Sharma is a significant setback for India, but it is compounded by the fact that Shubman Gill, another member of India’s first-choice top three, will also miss the Perth Test due to a fractured thumb. Gill, who has been in excellent form, particularly in white-ball cricket, was expected to play a key role in India’s top order in Australia. His injury leaves India with a gap at No. 3 and calls into question the team’s balance in the absence of two senior players.

KL Rahul, who has been in a bit of a form slump recently, and Abhimanyu Easwaran, the uncapped Bengal opener, were initially the leading candidates to join Yashasvi Jaiswal in the opening slots. However, with Rahul also having had a scare during the intra-squad practice match at WACA, after he was struck on the elbow by a delivery from Prasidh Krishna, the situation has become even more fluid. Fortunately for Rahul, the injury did not appear to be serious, and by Sunday morning, he had returned to bat for about an hour, alleviating fears that he would miss the Test series altogether. This is good news for India, as Rahul’s experience and adaptability will be crucial for India’s top order in Australia.

With Gill and Rohit out, and Rahul’s fitness under watch, the Indian management has some tough decisions ahead. Abhimanyu Easwaran and Rahul are both likely to feature in the playing XI for the Perth Test, but there is also the possibility of Devdutt Padikkal being given a chance at the top. Padikkal, who has been with the Test squad after a successful stint with India A on their shadow tour of Australia, played one Test earlier this year against England in Dharamsala. Although his experience is limited, Padikkal’s recent performances in domestic cricket and familiarity with Australian conditions could see him get the nod, adding another layer of competition for the openers' spots.

### India’s Batting Depth and Potential Options

With the top-order facing uncertainty due to injuries and absences, India’s batting depth will be tested right from the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The think tank led by head coach Gautam Gambhir will need to ensure that the team’s middle order remains stable and ready to step up. If Rahul and Easwaran do open, they will be joined by a strong middle order, including Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, and the in-form Shreyas Iyer, who has been a reliable contributor in recent Tests.

However, in the absence of Rohit and Gill, India may look to bolster their batting depth further by playing one of their two seam-bowling all-rounders in the lower-middle order. Nitish Kumar Reddy, a batting all-rounder from Andhra, and Harshit Rana, a bowling all-rounder for Delhi, have both been part of the Test squad but are yet to make their debuts. India may consider slotting one of them into the No. 8 position to provide additional batting firepower and versatility in what is expected to be a challenging series in Australia.

Both Reddy and Rana have shown promise in domestic cricket, with Reddy being known for his consistency with the bat, and Rana offering a raw pace option in the lower order. Their inclusion could strengthen India’s lower-middle order, which will be crucial given the challenges posed by Australia’s world-class bowling attack, particularly on fast, bouncy pitches in Perth and Adelaide.

### India’s First Overseas Test Series Under New Management

This Test series marks the first overseas assignment for India under the new coaching staff led by Gautam Gambhir. After a disastrous 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand earlier in the year—India's first-ever whitewash in a three-match Test series—the stakes are even higher for the new regime. Gambhir, who took over the reins from Rahul Dravid, will need to deliver results to cement his place as India’s head coach.

Under Gambhir's leadership, the team will face its first major challenge abroad, in what is traditionally a tough tour for India. While India’s record in Australia has been improving over the years, winning their last two series down under, the current squad will be tested like never before. India’s failure to capitalize on home conditions against New Zealand has raised questions about their ability to transition to foreign conditions, and the management’s response to this pressure will be closely watched.

The series will not only be a test of India’s leadership and tactical acumen but also an opportunity for younger players like Jaiswal, Easwaran, and Padikkal to make their mark. These players will need to prove their worth in challenging conditions, where the Australian bowling attack is known to exploit every weakness.

### Final Preparations and the Warm-Up Game

India’s final preparations before the Perth Test will take place in the coming days as they shift from WACA to the Optus Stadium, where the first Test will be held. The warm-up game against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI, starting on November 30, will provide a valuable opportunity for players like Rahul, Easwaran, and Jaiswal to get some much-needed match time and acclimatize to the conditions. 

With Rohit missing the first Test, and the top-order shuffling around due to injuries and absences, the importance of this warm-up match cannot be overstated. India’s management will be keen to finalize their batting order and ensure that their players are fully prepared for the rigors of Test cricket in Australia. Perhaps this warm-up game could also help define the team’s strategy moving forward, especially in terms of how they approach the challenge of playing in hostile foreign conditions.

### Looking Ahead

The absence of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill is a significant blow to India’s chances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but the team is accustomed to overcoming challenges. With Jasprit Bumrah leading in Perth, and a mix of experienced campaigners and promising youngsters in the squad, India will look to make the best of their current situation. The next few weeks will reveal much about the character and adaptability of India’s Test squad, as they embark on a challenging and high-stakes series in Australia.